AMMAN -- The first law programme to improve the legal environment for the local media sector will begin at Al Isra University this year, following a USAID grant received on Tuesday.
"Strengthening the media is a key element of the USAID's democratisation strategy," Shally Prasad, the USAID democracy officer said.
The course to instruct lawyers in media affairs was implemented by the USAID-funded Jordan Media Strengthening Programme through the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX).
The package -- awarded after a competitive process -- includes consulting services by foreign media law experts and around $20,000 plus opportunities for students to be awarded academic fellowships and scholarships in the US, according to the IREX Country Director Samuel Compton.
"We are here to assist in the academic study of media law, backing the government in making Jordan media-friendly. This course is to teach future lawyers the current media laws in the country, and possibly as lawyers they will be encouraged to develop it further," Compton told The Jordan Times.
Currently, no lawyers or law firms in the Kingdom specialise in media law and with the current rise in private-owned media, this creates a gap for entrepreneurs and journalists who need access to in-depth advice on the sector's regulations, according to IREX.
Al Isra University president Professor Naji Abuirmeileh believes that information law is overlooked in Jordan and the one-semester programme for senior law students will prepare them for the growing market.
"I feel that Jordan will continue to have an influx of journalists because this country serves as a buffer zone in the region. Our university wants law students to be aware of this, then understand the laws and participate," Abuirmeileh, told The Jordan Times.
The IREX country director pointed out that lawyers wishing to pursue the niche market would not be restricted to cases involving journalists and editors.
"There is big business in areas such as commercial media, advertising, Internet media and production companies that will need legal advice to protect their businesses," Compton said.
By Linda Hindi
© Jordan Times 2007
