Press Releases

A New Generation Trains at Jordan's First Student-Run Radio Station

Photo: Bill Lyons A student at Yarmouk University works in the studio of Jordan's first student-run radio station.

(March 6, 2007)  Journalism students at Yarmouk University in Irbid, Jordan are getting a hands-on immersion in radio journalism. They run the country's first student-run radio station, Yarmouk FM, and their daily two-hour broadcast of news and music reaches about one million people in and around the city of Irbid.

Formally opened on February 18 under dedication of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, Yarmouk FM was developed by Internews Network in partnership with Western Kentucky University (WKU) and Yarmouk University.

“The new radio station is unique because it is the first of its kind in Jordan, and it is completely run by students," said Dr. Fahmi Ghazwi, Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Yarmouk University.

Yarmouk FM is also Irbid's only privately-owned radio station. Jordan liberalized its media laws in 2004, allowing independent radio stations for the first time. Now Internews is helping to develop a new generation of independent journalists in Jordan.

“We are pleased to be part of this important event and proud to take part in the development of the media sector in Jordan," said Nadia Al Alami, Internews Network's Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa. "We hope that Yarmouk FM will set a good example for independent media outlets in Jordan and in the region.”  

Dignitaries in attendance at the grand opening included Zeid Al-Rafai, Speaker of the Upper House of Parliament, representing Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah; Phillip Frayne, representing the US Ambassador to Jordan; Dr. Subbarini, President of Yarmouk University; Dr. Barbara Burch, WKU's Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; and Jeanne Bourgault, Chief Operating Officer of Internews Network.

Also present at the ceremony were Nadia Al Alami, who is responsible for the overall management of the project to create Yarmouk FM, and Jerry Barnaby, WKU Program Manager.

At the event, Yarmouk University students gave the officials a tour of the radio facilities, including the production rooms, audio editing equipment, and advanced computer software. Selected students conducted an interview with Zeid Al-Rafai and Phillip Frayne, broadcast live on Yarmouk FM, of course.

At a special ceremony conducted in front of the radio station, Internews' Jeanne Bourgault presented an award to the Queen’s representative to honor the support that the Queen has provided to youth and media development in the Kingdom of Jordan.

At the end of the ceremony, a plaque marking the official opening of Yarmouk FM, under the dedication of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdallah was unveiled in front of the radio station.

Internews Network, Yarmouk University, and WKU, which have been collaborating since 2005, built Yarmouk FM to give students hands-on experience in journalism. Yarmouk FM began broadcasting on September 17, but February 18 marked its official opening in the Kingdom of Jordan.

This project is made possible by a grant to Internews from the US State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).

In Jordan, Internews is also creating a radio production unit in partnership with Princess Basma’s Youth Resource Center in Amman.

Nadia Alami, Internews Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa