Minister of State for Media Affairs, Faisal Shboul, said that the training and capacity building program for public spokespeople is a key step to unify the public media discourse, ensure the flow of information, and inter-ministerial coordination on various issues.
Shboul’s gave his remarks Monday as he attended the conclusion of the program’s first phase, which was held in partnership and cooperation with the Jordan Media Institute (JMI) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and targeted 24 public spokespeople from various ministries, and was implemented between January 19 to February 3.
Shboul, who is also the government spokesperson, said that the government, within the framework of its extended and ongoing partnership with the JMI, will hold a new program aimed at training public spokespeople in public institutions and bodies, similar to their colleagues in ministries, in order to develop government communication and enhancing capabilities of its employees.
He stressed the importance of public spokespeople’s role in ministries and public institutions in communicating institutions’ messages to media outlets and the society, and in addressing hate speech, rumors and negativity that spread on social media.
Dean of the JMI, Mirna Abu Zaid, said spokespeople will feel a difference following conclusion of the program in terms of setting media plans for their ministries, and how to deal with media outlets and the public.
Abu Zeid expressed the JMI’s readiness to hold periodic meetings for participants in the spokespeople training program, to assess their professional capabilities development.
On the sidelines of the conclusion ceremony, Minister Shboul handed over certificates to spokespeople participating in the first phase of the program.
SOURCE: JORDAN NEWS AGENCY
