Amman: Middle East University’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Dr. Yaqoub Nasereddin, has stated that the conference is occurring at a time when the world is witnessing climate change that requires immediate action. Furthermore, the university is fully cognizant of the significance of its role as an educational institution, with a strategy aligned with the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, who views Jordan as a regional hub for green development with the objective of safeguarding the environment and mitigating the impact of climate change.
This occurred during his patronage of the conference, entitled “The Reality of Scientific Journalism in Jordan,” which was organized by the Faculty of Media at the University. The conference brought together deans of media faculties in Jordan as well as academics and researchers from media colleges and institutes in six countries: Jordan, Palestine, Morocco, Lebanon, Yemen, and the United Kingdom.
Dr. Nasereddin further asserted that the current era calls for the emergence of authentic scientific journalism grounded in scientific principles, particularly in view of the prevalence of personal opinions on social media that often deviate from logical reasoning.
In her address, Prof. Salam Al-Mahadin, President of the University, emphasised the value of the conference as a forum for communication and collaboration between journalists, scientists, and stakeholders. She highlighted the need for a more realistic approach to the coverage of scientific issues, which are often perceived as mere luxuries rather than necessities. She also acknowledged the rapid evolution of the media landscape with the emergence of new technologies and platforms.
Dr. Hanan Al-Sheikh, Dean of the Faculty of Media, stated that interest in scientific journalism remains limited. The news is limited to partial coverage of events and a seasonal review of achievements, with a focus on environmental, technological, and health topics only and not other fields. This is particularly evident in the absence of specialised journalism departments and crews, the scarcity of specialised journalists, and the reliance on foreign international news agencies and magazines without consideration of local contexts.
The conference provided a roadmap to enhance the quality and impact of science journalism, which serves as a medium linking the needs of science with human aspirations. In particular, journalists play a pivotal role in shaping a vibrant and engaging discourse on climate change and the environment.