JMI to document media legacy of Great Arab Revolt

AMMAN — The Jordan Media Institute (JMI) on Wednesday announced plans for a museum to document press coverage of the Great Arab Revolt, as the Kingdom celebrates the revolt’s centenary. 

In cooperation with the US embassy in Amman, the museum will document the works of American journalist Lowell Thomas, who accompanied the British officer T.E. Lawrence for several weeks during the revolt, the JMI said in a statement.

Thomas’ collection includes pictures, reports and films capturing the events he witnessed with Lawrence, said JMI dean Basim Tweissi.  

The US journalist not only reported on military operations but also documented Arab culture, customs and traditions, said Tweissi. 

The museum is part of a wider project by the JMI to document the media legacy of the revolt. 

Tweissi said coverage of the revolt in the Arab press would be archived at the institute’s library, drawing on selected Arabic-language newspapers that were published in a number of regional capitals.  

A digital archive will also be created, and a travelling exhibition of media materials will be displayed in Amman before moving to other governorates, according to the JMI.  

CDs and brochures of the most important materials that are documented will be produced, the JMI said.