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In less than two years time Arabic Daily has emerged
upon the market, becoming the second largest selling
paper on the strength of its appeal to women and
the younger generation—"pushing the limits"
of its independence, according to its Publisher
Mohamed Alayyan.
Alayyan, a confident, energetic thirty three year
old media tycoon who is trying to create a moreprogressive
news and entertainment structure in Jordan. "The
more force you give to independent media, the more
developed becomes the democratic process."
Media in the Middle East, long state-owned and
stagnant, has so much potential, believes Alayyan.
The advertising possibilities alone are huge, and
in Jordan itself this sector has more than doubled
in the past five years. "The concept of media
and advertising has changed," says Alayyan.
"The attitude that advertising is merely an
expense, no longer exists. Advertising is now seen
as an investment…a form of branding."
"Being independent is not easy," says
Alayyan. "We are trying to convey the new and
modern Jordan…the forward thinking, out of
the box thinking…this is what we stand for."
Majoring in three subjects when in college, none
of which involved media, Alayyan went on to work
in the family business for a period of time, and
before realizing he wanted to do something on his
own. Although it wasn’t a big hit with certain
friends and family members, Alayyan started a weekly
paper in 1998 that went on to huge success…mainly
through classified ads. He immediately recognized
that he was on to a phenomenon and wanted to figure
out why this was taking place.
As the daily newspaper took off, Alayyan began
to look into other media. With the reforms ongoing
he thought it was no doubt that the media would
be included. He sought, and won, a license for an
independent television station. The shows are geared
to be dynamic, and locally produced as he is attempting
to call back some of the talent pool that had left
this country in search of opportunity elsewhere.
"I want to bring back a lot of these Jordanians
who have done a fantastic job in building TV stations
outside of Jordan. Now I’m telling them…come
on guys…here is a TV station for Jordan, by
Jordanians."
To become this source of news, one has to go out
and acquire information. But many officials are
still of the old school when it comes to dealing
with journalists, believing the information they
possess is privileged and that they are under no
obligation to pass on what they know. "This
needs to change," says Alayyan. "It is
a right, my right as a journalist to have this information,
not a privilege."
Alayyan believes that the state of the Jordanian
media has come a long way in a short period of time.
For instance, he cites the abolition of the Ministry
of Communications as one of the positive steps that
have occured. Journalists are also acquiring ever-greater
legal protections.
"We still have a long way to go in terms of
legislation," says Alayyan, "and we all
have to keep on the move… pushing the boundaries."
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Jordan 
