Press Releases

License Agreement Signed for Internews-Supported Radio Farah Al Nas in Jordan

Internews An agreement for Radio Farah Al Nas’ official license was signed on June 8.

(June 11, 2008) The Audiovisual Committee (AVC) and the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD)/the Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) signed an agreement for Radio Farah Al Nas’ official license on June 8.  Farah Al Nas, a community radio station with a particular focus on youth and women, will present political, development and social issues, as well as news.

The two parties were represented by Mr. Hussein Bani Hani, AVC Head; H.E. Ms. Asma Khader, Secretary General, JNCW and Ms. Eman Nimri, Deputy Executive Director, JOHUD.

The station began its trial broadcast on a frequency of 98.5 FM in May, covering the governorates of Amman and Zarka.  The radio station staff is currently in the final stages of preparing the program cycle and technical plan in preparation for the official station launch which will take place next month.  The station will benefit from JOHUD and JNCW’s experience in recognizing the needs and concerns of various social classes, something that local commercial and for profit radio stations lack.  The station will also benefit from its location at the Queen Zein El Sharaf National Institue (ZENID), which manages a very large number of projects focusing on youth issues.

During the ceremony, which was attended by the Director of Investment at AVC, a discussion on the major challenges that face the media sector took place.  The need for equal opportunities for private and non-governmental media was also discussed.  The success of the Jordanian experience under His Majesty’s “The sky is the limit" vision for Jordanian press freedoms, which resulted in over 45 licensed radio and television stations was commended.  The ceremony was also attended by Ms. Zena Nasereddin, Jordan Country Representative for Internews Network, the station’s funder.  Ms. Nasereddin expressed her satisfaction with the project by saying “I have great confidence that Radio Farah Al Nas will set the path for positive change in the local community, particularly on issues related to women and youth and that it will also serve as a model for a successful community radio station both locally and regionally.”

The station builds on an existing partnership between Internews Network and JOHUD which established AutoStrad, a youth radio production unit, at the Princess Basma Youth Resource Center in 2005. Young trainees gained real-life experience producing programming at the Autostrad studio, and their programs have aired on Jordanian radio stations.