‘Heavy’ workload awaits newly elected journalists’ representatives

AMMAN — A “heavy” workload awaits the newly elected Jordan Press Association’s (JPA) president and board members, who have pledged to restore the “prestige of the profession”, which they believe has been lost due to a lack of proper representation by the syndicate in the last decades. 

Journalist Rakan Saaideh on Friday was elected JPA president, receiving a majority of votes — 513 out of 890 casts. 

Saaideh, an editor at Al Rai newspaper, said he enjoyed journalists’ confidence due to his vision of how the association should progress.  

“The election turnout was unprecedented. Journalists have never been more committed to creating a genuine umbrella organisation that is able to address their concerns and strengthen their profession,” he told The Jordan Times on Saturday.

Job insecurity, financial difficulties and the profession’s “intruders” are the main challenges facing Jordanian journalists today, the incumbent said, noting that these issues need to be addressed in a comprehensive way and within a reasonable timeframe.

“The challenges are tremendous. We will work on two different levels in the coming phase; engaging the JPA in investment ventures that bring in good revenues, and the second phase to resolve imbalances related to the profession,” Saaideh said, stressing that the financial difficulties facing newspapers are considered a priority for the JPA. 

“We will not work from behind closed doors. Networking with all colleagues and related institutions will be our new approach,” the syndicate president indicated. 

This year’s election also witnesses an unprecedented occurrence — the election of two women to the JPA council: Hiba Sabbagh and Hadil Ghaboun. 

“Of course, this is considered a victory for women. My colleague and I won without a quota and we competed alongside our male peers,” Sabbagh told The Jordan Times on Saturday, adding that such an “unprecedented step restores faith and optimism for change”.

“All candidates raised change as a slogan. It is time that journalism rises up to its duty as one of the main arms of the country that strengthens all other institutions. We inherited heavy files from the previous council and now, it is time to revisit the syndicate’s bylaws and regulations in order to protect the profession and its members,” she noted. 

Five candidates stood for the position of JPA president, four for vice president and 30 for JPA Council membership. 

Those who stood for JPA president were: Majid Al Amir (who received 130 votes), Hussein Omoush (107 votes), Fakhri Abu Hamda (90 votes) and Abdulatif Alqurashi (two votes).

Yanal Barmawi was elected JPA vice president.