Hawatmeh named chairman of JRTVC board

AMMAN — The Cabinet on Sunday appointed veteran journalist and former Jordan Times chief editor George Hawatmeh as chairman of the Jordan Radio and Television Corporation (JRTVC) board.

Hawatmeh was also the chief editor of Al Rai and Al Ghad Arabic dailies, and he previously worked as director of the Jordan Information Bureau in Washington.

Born in Zarqa in 1952, Hawatmeh has a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering and an MBA degree.

He worked at the Jordan civil aviation authority before joining The Jordan Times in 1981, where he became chief editor in 1983, serving until 1988. 

In late 1989, he returned to The Jordan Times as chief editor, working there for 10 years.

The Jordan News Agency, Petra, quoted Minister of State for Media Affairs Mohammad Momani as saying that the government did not name a minister as chairman to enhance the independence and objectiveness of the JRTVC in accordance with the principles of media professionalism.

Momani said the move sends a message to media institutions to take the initiative and reaffirms their right to criticise and debate public issues.

The minister highlighted media outlets' role in raising awareness and discussing public issues in a responsible, neutral manner. 

In addition to Hawatmeh, the board members are: Suzan Afaneh, the president of the Jordanian Artists Association, the director of the Morale Guidance Department, Samir Barhoum, Hussein Abu Rumman, Sawsan Tuffaha, Hussein Rawashdeh and the JRTVC director.