Dr. Basim Twiessi is a lecturer in the Department of Media and Strategic Studies at Al Hussein Bin Talal University as well as a political columnist. Drawing on lessons and his experiences at the Summer Institute, he wrote the following articles for the Al Ghad Arabic Daily newspaper.
The first article discusses the crisis of understanding between the Arabs and the Americans that have been created by the policy and increased after the events of September 11 and calls for cultural initiatives to fill this gap. The second article describes downtown of Miami, which the participants visited among the activities of the Journalism Institute(UF). The visitors noted the strong cultural diversity in creating a new spirit done by Cuban refugees. Participants came to Little Havana to look for smell of Fidel Castro, Cuban cigars, and revolution symbols, then they realized that the strength of respect of cultural diversity produces a new society.
The third article to appear in the AlGhad journal explains the role of a free press and new media in political reform and the achievement of the tasks of democratization and the need of developing countries, including Arab countries to enable the role of a free press, and build professional skills through human resources development and amendment of laws.
The last article published deals with the role of new and digital media in the development of professional performance and an increase in the informative options in front of society, in addition to the contribution of this shift in political development, democracy and the empowerment of communities of freedom.
Mr. Tweisse submitted the following report on his experience at the summer institute to the US Embassy in Amman.
New Freedoms in Media:
Teaching the Digital Journalism of Tomorrow
June 29 – August 10, 2008
University of Florida
Report by:
Dr. Basim Tweissi
Al-Hussein Bin Talal University
My participation in the Institute was organized by the US Embassy in Amman. Through the embassy’s generosity I was able to take part in an institute that provided both intellectual stimulation as well as the chance to meet and exchange knowledge with participants representing seventeen different countries and perspectives.
During my stay in the United States and my participation in the Institute “New Freedoms in Media: Teaching the Digital Journalism of Tomorrow”, which was hosted by the University of Florida, I was afforded the opportunity to gain new perspectives and information on the role of the media in the US as well as see American culture firsthand. For the duration of this institute I was able to compliment my previous knowledge of media with new information regarding the role of journalism and media, particularly in the United States. This, of course, has provided me with a new point of view when considering the role of the media in Jordan. Discussing the role of the media in the seventeen countries represented in this program has shown me what contributions media can and do make in different societies. With that in mind, I feel that the Institute has not only broadened my perspective, but also indirectly that of my students. I look forward to taking what I learned and experienced while at the University of Florida and applying it in my classes. This coupled with my interaction with colleagues, who are also active in the field of media, should facilitate the creation of a network of journalism educators as well as practitioners in Jordan that will reach beyond the Institute.
Among some of the many things that I took away from the Institute are the following:
- A new and advanced knowledge of digital journalism, particularly concerning online media. It was shown how digital journalism and the internet offer a new freedom through which private citizens and journalists can better interact with the government, opinion-leaders, and society in general.
- A new and advanced knowledge of how to develop an innovative curriculum for teaching media, mass communication, and digital journalism. While at the Institute I had the opportunity to give two presentations concerning the media situation in Jordan.
- Insight into the operation of American institutions of mass media in addition to their rich experience and professionalism (through organized visits), such as the Washington Post, the New York Times, and the Spanish-language broadcaster Univision.
- An impression of the culture, lifestyle, and the public system in the United States. It was very interesting for me to see the cultural diversity present in the United States and how this is an important strength of American society.
- A significantly expanded social network that now includes the academic and administration staff of the University of Florida and a number of people in the city of Gainesville. Furthermore, I have gained a very large social network through the seventeen other participants in the program.
In addition to the above points, I also used the opportunity of this institute and our visits to focus on how to improve professionalism in journalism and mass media – in particular on how to use this to enhance freedoms in developing countries, such as Jordan. Improving journalistic professionalism in Jordan is very important to me, because I believe that it is necessary in order to provide the people with a stronger voice and more empowerment on our way to a more effective democracy.
Moreover, my time in the United States and my contact with Americans provided me with a great chance to use my personal experience to promote Arab-American dialogue. With this in mind, I wrote several articles about such topics to a Jordanian daily newspaper, Al-Ghad, while I was in the United States.
Finally, I must say that this program was a great experience for me, both personally and professionally, and I would like to thank the University of Florida and the Institute’s staff for the high quality of the program as well as the US Embassy in Amman, again, for providing me with this wonderful opportunity.
Sincerely,
Dr. Basim Tweissi