Qarib Partners Meeting in Amman: Discussing Challenges and Prospects for Alternative Media
After a postponement due to the war and field developments witnessed by several Arab countries where our partners work, the second regional meeting of the Qarib program was held with the attendance of more than forty partners from Iraq, Jordan, Palestine and Lebanon, with the exception of our partner in Gaza from the Akher Qissa platform, who was unable to attend due to the continued closure of the crossings to and from the Strip.
Based on the participants’ wishes, the meeting, which lasted for two days in the Jordanian capital, Amman, addressed the challenges that our partners faced and are facing during the coverage of the war and the safety of journalists working on these platforms, in addition to the psychological state resulting from covering these wars and their tragedies. The meeting also addressed the financial pressures currently facing independent media as a result of the cessation of funding by some donors and the impact of these decisions on the general climate of independent media. The participating media professionals engaged in a discussion about artificial intelligence and how to benefit from it in production and some administrative work? They also discussed issues related to their daily work, especially how to expand the reach of recipients in light of the experiences of the participating platforms. The discussion also addressed the role of these platforms in conveying the stories of marginalized people affected by crises and wars.
Our partners in the PNN platform summarized the discussions of the two days of the meeting in the following report
As for Zuhair Al-Dabs from the “Manatiq Net” platform, he considered that the regional meeting that brought together the partners was necessary after everything the region had gone through and the experiences of the platforms in it. “Manateq Net” is a platform that exclusively covers the conditions of the Lebanese regions and during the war it turned into a platform that covers the Israeli targeting of the south and the Bekaa in addition to the southern suburbs of Beirut.
“After the harsh war and the great challenges that the media, especially the independent media, faced for fourteen months, it was necessary to hold meetings and workshops that bring together workers in many platforms to talk about their experiences during that period and the challenges they went through and faced. Therefore, my participation in the activity that took place in Amman on February 14 and 15 last week came to meet that need, where different experiences and challenges were reviewed, which also contributes to crystallizing a better image of the media scene. The concerns are similar and so are the challenges, and this is what we saw in the good dialogue meetings, and this is what I presented during my participation in the first dialogue session about that, and it included the experience of “Manateq Net” and the many challenges it faced while covering the war, the most difficult of which was The last two months, when security risks have increased dramatically.
The security challenge was the first par excellence, as reaching the targeted areas has become a real adventure in which the level of danger rises to record levels.
The second challenge is that we are classified as independent media, and this increases the obstacles to journalistic work in areas under the control of de facto forces, where the presence of the state and its institutions is almost non-existent, and if it exists, it is a formal presence subject to the dictates of those forces.
The third challenge was ensuring the safety of journalists in light of all these security risks, most notably personal protection requirements such as shields and helmets, as well as tools, equipment, transportation and accommodation.
The regional meeting was also an opportunity to highlight the role of our colleagues in managing newsrooms in the most difficult circumstances. Tala Al Sharif, founder of the Chimera Women’s Platform, wrote about the importance of women being in leadership positions in media platforms so that women’s issues are more closely linked to reality.
“When I first entered journalism, I felt a great responsibility to uncover stories that are often under-told or fragmented. Over time, it has become clear to me that when women take on editorial leadership roles, they bring a unique sensitivity and depth to storytelling. This insight is essential, especially when it comes to how women’s stories are treated and presented.
At Women of Chimera, our approach is simple: women tell their own stories. We don’t speak for Palestinian women; we amplify their voices. Every aspect of their journey is treated with the importance, compassion, and impact it deserves. Women are agents, not objects. From Gaza to the West Bank, Jerusalem, and beyond, Women of Chimera is dedicated to showcasing the diverse experiences of Palestinian women. We cover all aspects of their experiences—whether in politics, business, culture, social change, and more—and highlight Their resilience, leadership and strength.
Our goal is to provide a platform for these women to share their stories authentically, challenging stereotypes and dismantling the stereotypical narratives that often dominate global media.
Today, our responsibility is greater than ever. We are documenting stories during one of the most challenging times Palestinians have faced. Through our work, we aim to elevate the voices of Palestinian women and highlight their crucial role in shaping the future of their communities. By amplifying their diverse and powerful stories, we hope to inspire a more comprehensive and compassionate understanding of Palestinian women around the world.”
Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza and the successive developments in the West Bank, the Women of Chimera has dedicated its work to the stories of women and their suffering in war, captivity, and displacement areas. The platform’s productions range from long videos to those suitable for some social media platforms, including this reel about the suffering of a former prisoner in prison.
From the Manateq Net platform, this report is about a tobacco farmer who returns to her home to find it destroyed, so she curses whoever caused it…
Not far from Lebanon and Palestine, the Sharika platform addressed the role of Jordanian women in raising their voices in solidarity with the Palestinian people
