Press Releases

Learning by Doing: Jordanian Students Run 24-Hour Radio Station

Valerie Rowles/Internews Journalism students get hands-on training in radio production at Jordan's first student-run radio station.

(September 17, 2007) For a fortunate group of Jordanian college journalism students, the classroom now extends into the airwaves of northern Jordan 24 hours a day. The students are getting a hands-on education in radio broadcasting at Yarmouk FM (YFM), Jordan’s first student-run radio station.

 “Everybody is listening to us now,” commented student news anchor and reporter Abdel Haq Oubeidat. “We know now that we have a big responsibility in assuming our duties. We are covering now the events of the northern part of Jordan, which is excellent. YFM is now reflecting the real needs of the local community.”

YFM was officially launched in February 2007 by Internews Network in partnership with Western Kentucky University and Yarmouk University through a grant from the US Department of State’s Department of Human Rights and Labor.

Since July 15, YFM has been broadcasting 24 hours a day. Six hours of this programming is a student-produced programming cycle that includes news, sports, and local features geared towards university students and the local community. The rest of the time, the station broadcasts music.

The new station manager, Akram El-Neis, who was hired by Internews Network in June 2007, has worked hard with the students and YFM staff to expand the broadcasting hours, improve the quantity and quality of programming, enhance the students’ skills, and increase awareness and listenership of the station in the local community. The station has a potential listening audience of about 1 million.

As well as servicing the information needs of the local community, YFM also provides a unique environment for students to receive hands-on experience in working for a radio station.

“YFM is a great chance for the students of the Department of Journalism & Mass Communication,” said student news anchor Mead Doweiri. “We are working with all aspects of radio, even the technical issues. I think I can say now that I really know what is waiting for me once graduated.”

Zeina Batayneh, who works in programming, emphasized this advantage, “YFM is giving me the chance of learning in a very professional manner. Now that we are broadcasting 24 hours a day, we feel that we are a real radio station. This experience is very important to me. I think I will make a career in radio.”

On August 27, Internews Network honored ten outstanding students at YFM for their contributions to the station’s growing impact. The students received cash awards in recognition of their commitment and high-quality work.

One award recipient, student news anchor and reporter Mohammad Shatnawi comes to the station every morning, even during the summer holidays. He said, “The support of Internews Network was a great help for us. After the (moral and financial) rewards we received, all students are now enthusiastic and want to show that they deserve this support. For myself, I'm now learning a lot.”

All the hard work is paying off.  Listenership has increased, and there is positive feedback from the local community.  Ma’en Safi, a program anchor, is feeling these effects. “It's my first time to be on air. Now I'm receiving phone calls on my program, I feel that I'm really doing something.”