AmmanNet begins Experimental Transmission in Amman

AmmanNet, the Arab world's first Internet radio, has begun, June 29, experimental terrestrial transmission of its FM frequency in the greater Amman municipal boundaries.

Transmitting on 92.4 FM, AmmanNet is broadcasting in Arabic under the subheading "Voice of the Community." Imad Salsa, AmmanNet's music director who is supervising the technical work expects the three kilowatt station to be heard in every car and home in the capital.

Award winning journalist Daoud Kuttab, the station's founder and director say that AmmanNet Radio will provide general radio programming to all the citizens of Amman with special emphasis on the populated areas, especially in East Amman. " We will broadcast community service programming, sports (including live broadcasts of local teams), cultural programming as well as human interest features reflecting the diverse nature of the Jordanian capital and call in programs.

To ensure that the station reflects all the voices in the capital the former speaker of the parliament MP Saed Hael Srour has agreed to head an advisory board for the radio station that will include Ammanis from various walks. The position of an ombudsman has also been created in order to investigate listeners complaints. Media critique Sawsan Zaidah, the producer of Eye on the Media has been asked to fill this position.

According to Kuttab, the station will be different from the many (mostly entertainment) FM radio stations that have filled the radio dial in the capital "We intend to be the station for the majority of the capital's citizens who have been largely ignored in the new private radio explosion of stations. We hope to broadcast the authentic sounds and voices of the every day Jordanians living in Amman."

A morning show "talet soboh" and an afternoon daily roundup program will be added to the many programs already available on line. All of AmmanNet's successful internet programs (www.ammannet.net ) will be available to FM listeners. Programs such as "Eye on the Media, IT in Arabic, Rua Baralmania (parliamentary views), book corner, Nashmiat (women's program) sports net, school radio, Haqi (legal awareness program) and the popular diary of a refugees will all be available on the new FM broadcast. AmmanNet will also attempt to broadcast live sessions of the Jordanian parliament and the monthly city council meeting.

With its studios in Wadi Saqra, the station is linked to a transmitter located in the elevated Rabia neighborhood. AmmanNet radio is the seventh private radio station to go on air in Jordan following the liberalization of the audio visual laws. AmmanNet Radio is part of the AmmanNet establishment that was established in 2000 with initial support from UNESCO, and the Greater Amman municipality. AmmanNet is involved in a number of independent media programs that receive funding from the Open Society Institute, IMS (Denmark) the European Union, the US Consulate, the Netherlands Embassy, IREX, and the National Endowment for Democracy.

Reprinted with permission from AmmanNet.net