The Minister of State for Media Affairs, the official spokesman for the government, Faisal Shboul, said that the training and capacity building program for government media spokesmen is an essential step to unify the government media discourse, ensure the flow of information, and inter-ministerial coordination on various issues.

This came in Shboul’s speech during his sponsorship, today, Monday, of the conclusion of the first phase of the program, which was held in partnership and cooperation with the Jordan Media Institute and the United Nations Development Program, and targeted 24 media spokespersons from various ministries, and was implemented during the period from January 19 to 3 of this month.

During the conclusion, which was held at the Media Institute in the presence of its CEO, Dr. Mustafa Al-Hamarneh, and the Dean of the Institute, Dr. Mirna Abu Zaid, the government, within the framework of its extended and continuous partnership with the Jordan Media Institute, will hold a new program aimed at training media spokespeople in government institutions and bodies, like their colleagues In ministries, with the aim of developing government communication and enhancing the capabilities of its employees.

He pointed out the importance of the role of media spokespeople in ministries and government institutions in communicating the institutions’ messages towards the media and society, and in addressing hate speech, rumors and negativity that spread on some social media.

In turn, the Dean of the Institute, Dr. Mirna Abu Zaid, said that the media speakers will see a difference after the end of the program in terms of setting media plans for their ministries, and how to deal with the media and the public.

Abu Zeid confirmed the institute’s readiness to hold periodic meetings for those who are subject to the training program and to build speakers, with the aim of assessing the extent of their development and developing their professional capabilities.

On the sidelines of the conclusion, the Minister of State for Media Affairs handed over certificates to the media spokespeople participating in the first phase of the training and capacity building program for media spokespeople.

It is noteworthy that the training and capacity building program for government media spokespeople came as a translation of the government’s orientation and priorities to develop the capabilities of government communication workers and empower media spokespeople in ministries, as it coincides with political and administrative reforms undertaken by the government, and is an essential part of reforming and modernizing the government apparatus.

The program included practical and intensive courses on the most important knowledge of government communication in terms of media appearance, preparation of media plans and strategies, crisis management, interviews and press briefings, strategies for interaction and communication with social media, a sense of responsibility, and persuasive dialogue.

The intensive practical courses were delivered by a group of media and communication experts and government decision-makers in Jordan and a number of Arab countries.