Amman: The Media Commission has prepared a specialized statistical study on the owners of licensed media institutions, revealing that male owners constitute the largest segment, accounting for 74% of the total licensed institutions by the commission, compared to 22% for females, while companies owning licensed entities make up 4%.
According to Jordan News Agency, in a statement issued on Tuesday, the commission explained that the study showed that the age group of owners between 40-49 years ranked first at 21%, followed by the 50-59 age group at 20%, while the percentage of owners under 29 years and those aged 30-39 reached 38%.
Regarding the distribution of institutions across Jordanian governorates, the commission indicated that the majority are concentrated in the capital, Amman, at 87.1%, followed by Irbid Governorate at 4.1%.
The commission noted that the study, prepared by a specialized committee within the commission and published on its website, aims to present the results of data analysis based on the purposes of licensed media institutions according to sectoral classifications, considering variables related to gender, governorate, and age, as of the end of January this year.
The study relied on records and registers maintained by the Media Commission, noting that there are operational institutions in governorates that are not yet licensed, as per a recent circular. The number of media institutions licensed by the Media Commission as of the end of January this year reached 1,204, distributed as follows: 41 radio and rebroadcasting stations, 18 satellite channels, 8 SNG stations, 145 electronic newspapers and websites, and 98 print newspapers, including daily, non-daily, and specialized publications.
The number of production and distribution institutions reached 229, value-added services 22, copyright trading 22, and cinema theaters 8, while the number of publishing and advertising institutions, including printing houses, distribution houses, publishing houses, research and public opinion measurement centers, translation offices, and advertising agencies, reached 613.
The study pointed out that the licensing of libraries was previously suspended in implementation of Cabinet Decision No. (8178) issued on January 14, 2020, in addition to the issuance of an amended regulation for licensing publishing and advertising institutions No. (63/2024). According to the regulation, executive instructions were issued to reopen the public register for registration purposes only, which is currently underway.
The study recommended the completion of the digital transformation project for services provided by the Media Commission to improve service efficiency and save time and effort for citizens, especially in governorates, which is currently underway. It also recommended amending legislation to exempt certain sectors in governorates from fees and reducing the gender gap, which is also currently being addressed.
Additionally, the study recommended working on developing media regulations to keep pace with technological advancements, particularly in digital media, as the digital media regulation system is currently being finalized. It also suggested establishing a fund to support, develop, and enhance media institutions, especially in governorates, which is currently under proposal.
Director-General of the Media Commission, Bashir Momani, said that this scientific study, based on sound and realistic foundations, will assist in making the necessary regulatory and administrative decisions, contributing to elevating the media sector and enhancing its strengths while addressing weaknesses.
He noted that this will be included in the commission's strategic plan for 2025-2027, which is currently being developed, and the legislative, regulatory, and procedural plan will be an integral part aligned with the new government media policy.