Her Royal Highness Princess Basma Launches Community Radio Station in Karak
American Ambassador Beecroft Hails Station Funded by U.S.
KARAK - American Ambassador Stephen Beecroft today joined HRH Princess Basma Bint Talal in a ceremony launching Sawt Al-Karak FM located on the campus of Mu’tah University (MU) in Karak governorate. The new radio station will provide a facility for broadcasting and journalism training as well as a forum for highlighting local community issues.
Through USAID funding, the Jordan Media Strengthening Program (JMSP) has set up this community-based FM radio station covering Karak governorate in partnership with Mu’tah University and Queen Zein Al Sharaf Institute for Development (ZENID). Volunteers, including MU students and wider Karak community members, will provide the station with live and recorded programs tackling issues of interest and concern to Karak citizens.
In a live interview on Sawt Al-Karak FM after the launch ceremony, Ambassador Beecroft affirmed that community radio with local content is a means for the citizens of Karak to obtain useful information relevant to their situations and lives. He noted: “We are especially excited about the partnership that has developed around the radio station among Mu’tah University, ZENID, and the community and university volunteers. It is this type of partnership and community involvement that brings about change and development.”
The Ambassador pointed out that this year, the United States and Jordan are celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic and development partnership between the two countries. He said: “We have partnered on water, health, education, job creation, and governance issues with the goal of helping the Jordanian government improve the lives of its citizens.”
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