Media and Information Literacy Academy (MILA) 2025 – Empowering Minds, Reviving Truth
For the third consecutive year, the Media and Information Literacy Academy (MILA) took place from 11–20 June at the Jordan Media Institute (JMI) in Amman. This year’s cohort brought together two students and one staff member from each AREACORE partner institution across the Arab world, Germany, and various Jordanian institutions. This included Freie Universität Berlin in Germany, Birzeit University in Palestine, Lebanese American University in Lebanon, Jordan Media Institute, Al-Iraqiyah University in Iraq, Sultan Qaboos-University in Oman, Ahram Canadian University in Egypt, La Menouba University in Tunisia and Al-Akhawayn University in Morocco.
MILA continues to benefit greatly from JMI’s extensive network of local and international trainers and experts from Jordan, Lebanon, and Norway, who led a series of engaging training sessions and workshops. The inauguration ceremony drew considerable attention, including a feature on Mamlaka TV’s evening news. Among the distinguished guests were Her Royal Highness Princess Rym Ali, founder of JMI, who delivered one of the keynote speeches, alongside the Dean of JMI, Dr Mirna Abou Zeid; the Jordanian Minister of Communication, Dr Mohammad Al Momani; AREACORE-Coordinator, Dr Katharina Nötzold from Freie Universität Berlin; and Ms Noha Bawazir, the UNESCO Representative to Jordan. Representatives of the EU Commission, the Norwegian Ambassador, and various regional NGOs focused on media literacy and freedom of expression were also in attendance.
The theme of this year’s academy — “Media and Information Literacy: Empowering Minds, Reviving Truth” — proved especially timely. With the ongoing war in Gaza and the widespread dissemination of misinformation by interest groups, state actors, and some media outlets — alongside significant cuts to media literacy funding (particularly from USAID programmes in the MENA region) — the relevance of MILA’s mission was clearer than ever.
Despite being overshadowed by regional tensions — including Israeli military strikes on Iranian targets, retaliatory attacks, and the temporary closure of Jordanian airspace — the academy pressed on. Although Jordan made efforts to remain neutral in the conflict, its airspace was repeatedly closed, and the sound of sirens — initially at night and later during the day — echoed through Amman as Jordanians carried on with their daily lives. While several international trainers faced travel disruptions, the commitment of Dr Mirna Abou Zeid and her team at JMI ensured the programme continued largely as planned. Hybrid presentations, local expert substitutions, and the perseverance of regional trainers travelling to Amman allowed MILA to maintain a full schedule of activities.
Throughout the programme, participants explored the current media landscape through lectures, hands-on workshops, and case studies. Students sharpened their fact-checking skills in the age of AI and practised using OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tools for geolocation and verification. Some trainers joined in person, while others connected virtually from abroad. Meanwhile, staff participants focused on critical pedagogy and developed preliminary curricula to integrate media and information literacy into their home institutions.
The academy also offered students a deep dive into the impact of AI on journalism, giving them an opportunity to explore both its transformative potential and the challenges it presents. Final projects culminated in presentations delivered as short podcasts or videos, accompanied by PowerPoint slides, posters, or other visual materials.
Guest speakers included among others Mirna Abou Zeid (Dean, Jordan Media Institute & AREACORE), Gretchen King (Lebanese American University), Basim Tweissi (Doha Institute for Graduate Studies), Mustafa Hamarneh (Jordanian Senator, political analyst and CEO of Jordan Media Institute), Abdallah Kafaween (Jordan Media Institute, Mamlaka TV), Jad Melki (Lebanese American University & AREACORE), Josette Abi Tamer, Faten Jebaï, Safa’ Ramahi, Rano Tahseen, Simen Askjer, Geir Terje Ruud (Technology, journalism and media development), Katharina Nötzold (Freie Universität Berlin & AREACORE) and various trainers from Jordan Media Institute.
Beyond academic growth, MILA aims to foster collaboration and cultural exchange among students and staff from the AREACORE network and their Jordanian counterparts. In that spirit, participants were also introduced to Jordan’s rich heritage and landscape. Visits to the newly inaugurated Jordan Museum, the Roman amphitheatre, and downtown Amman offered insights into the country’s past and present. A day trip to Ajloun in northern Jordan — featuring a tour of the historic fortress, a scenic ride on the téléphérique over olive groves, and exploration of the forest reserve — was a highlight for many, especially those experiencing international travel for the first time.
Despite the challenges, all cancelled flights were successfully rebooked, and participants returned home safely — enriched not only with new knowledge and skills in media literacy, but also with lasting friendships and the promise of future collaborations.
The Media and Information Literacy Academy is generously sponsored by the German Academic Exchange Service.