Ensuring professionalism key to safeguarding media freedom — practitioners

AMMAN — Media outlets need to exercise self-criticism and fight malpractice as they seek higher levels of freedom, experts and lawmakers said Saturday.

Media outlets should combat violations such as slander or exploitation for personal gain or advertising, which tarnish the image of the profession and result in a loss of credibility, they said at the opening of a conference titled “Media and Current Challenges” held by The Jordan Press Association (JPA).

“There are some violations committed by media outlets and we at JPA need to do more to address them as their continuation unaddressed opens the door for endorsing legislation that, while aimed at preventing violations, may at the same time restrict media freedom,” JPA President Tareq Momani said at the conference, attended by media experts, chief editors of dailies and academics.

“We must be capable of self-criticism. We must stop these violations before it is too late. Our profession is in danger, with some people posing as journalists and distorting its image,” the head of the 1,200-strong syndicate warned.

Momani said that for media outlets to enjoy higher levels of freedom, they should be objective and professional.

Lower House Speaker Atef Tarawneh said addressing violations in some media outlets is fundamental for the profession to restore its credibility, and retain and expand its audience.

“Responsible media can enjoy maximum degrees of freedom and thus be a drive for positive change… Media need to commit to a set of ethics and protect the rights of others,” he said at the conference.

Participants at the event stressed the need for developing the skills of journalists and media practitioners.

“Conducting training for staff in the field is very important to hone their skills in line with highest standards of professionalism and to prevent the occurrence of any violations,” the Lower House speaker noted.

In addition to a number of topics related to media and media freedom, participants also discussed issues related to the current situation of print media compared with online news outlets.