Journalism teachers from Europe and the MENA region met at the Dead Sea in Jordan last week to discuss a sustainability strategy for the regional network of media schools established by the EU-funded MedMedia programme.

The networking event brought together 35 delegates from Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco as well as experts from Spain, France, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Building on previous meetings held in Casablanca, Helsinki and Cairo over 2015 and 2016, the meeting looked at ways of accessing further funding and establishing exchange programmes for students and teachers.

Participants also discussed the state of journalism education in the Southern Mediterranean Region, drawing on the findings of a report by the Jordan Media Institute (JMI) which will form the basis of an upcoming white paper on this issue.

The meeting provided an opportunity to highlight various initiatives aimed at promoting best practice in curriculum development. Zahera Harb, from City University in London, introduced her study model which is designed to “mind the gap” and put students in touch with the industry.

MedMedia experts highlighted the positive outcomes of new training models and exchange platforms and presented proposals to maintain the network’s legacy beyond the MedMedia project, including making an application to the Erasmus programme, which was finalised during the meeting.

The EU-funded MedMedia project aims to create an enabling environment for media reforms in the Southern Mediterranean region. It is part of the €17 million EU programme “Media and culture for development in the Southern Mediterranean” which aims at supporting the media and culture reform processes in the region.

MedMedia focuses on media legislation, regulation, programming, strategy and leadership with a view to helping state media fulfil their public service mandate and compete with the commercial sector. It will also work to build public trust by strengthening the media’s role as an independent watchdog and a forum for democratic debate.

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Press release

MedMedia project website and facebook page