July this year may be the most tense month in the countries covered by the Qarib program. In fact, it is the most tragic, with the ongoing war in Gaza and on the southern Lebanese front, as well as the persistent tension in Iraq related to regional events, including Jordan. Additionally, there is a real danger of a regional war breaking out, the results of which are unpredictable.
Despite the bleak situation faced by our partners who work under such conditions of war, tension, and the risk of further conflict, there is some positive news related to the Qarib program.
At the beginning of August, the application period for the Qarib Journalism Award closed. We received dozens of applications, with a significant number coming from women affected by wars and crises. This indicates a continued positive development in highlighting women’s issues in the media and a growing boldness in addressing these topics. Another positive surprise lies in the type of applications submitted, not only in terms of the number of women journalists but also the increasing interest in environmental issues. What is notable is that this interest focuses on root causes and adopts solutions journalism, which we have always encouraged. Additionally, there is increased attention to issues of corruption and poor governance, which directly impact the environment and threaten human life.
As previously mentioned on our website and when announcing the award, we will reveal the names of the winners in the five categories at a celebration for the Qarib program in Amman this coming October.
Despite the difficult circumstances in the countries where our partners operate, their productions have been diverse and distinguished by their quality and coverage of topics that are often overlooked in the media.
Among the many significant issues that the “Noqta” feminist lab continues to work on is a production that provides guidance on how to respond if children are exposed to sexual blackmail, a growing danger with the prevalence of online harassment on social media.
Meanwhile, the Female Cameras website introduces us to Maha Al-Sarsak, a 15-year-old Palestinian refugee in Gaza. As the eldest of her siblings, she has taken on a unique way to support her family by washing the clothes of the displaced.
From Gaza, one of the most tragic issues is the suffering of people with disabilities amidst a lack of resources and difficulty in securing essential supplies. This video by the Nesa FM platform features the “Hope” camp for people with special needs, set among tents and rubble.
In Jordan, the Aramram website raises a central question about the reasons behind young people’s abstention from political participation. This question is relevant in many countries experiencing a decline in youth political engagement, including Jordan.
Times Square Radio presented a report on combating religious extremism by exploring the story of the emergence of the religious group Al-Qurban.