On a sun-drenched afternoon in Amman, the 1919 home currently housing Jordan’s Royal Film Commission is evidence of the transformative power of narrative. Originally a private house, this architectural artefact has been resurrected as Jordan’s first audio-visual arts centre. Having seen more than a century of history, its walls today reverberate with the creative vitality of conferences, workshops, and movie theatres.
Inside one of the house’s exclusive areas, Princess Rym Ali sits upon a backless chair. Wearing a sophisticated, two-piece pink suit that accentuates her flawless sense of taste, her formal elegance is instantly relaxed by her kind manner. Her personal adviser sits close by – a discreet presence in a discussion that soon feels more like a fascinating tête-à-tête than a formal interview.
The princess begins to talk with obvious confidence. Every question is answered with a quick, intelligent response; her words flow with the trained simplicity of someone well acquainted with their topic. From issue to issue, the discussion flows naturally, a linguistic dance that belies the serious concerns of today: The direction of Arab media, the influence of movies, and the vital role women play in shaping stories.
“I thought I wanted to be a journalist since I was about maybe 16 years old,” she says, her eyes flickering with memories. A young Princess Rym, the daughter of a diplomat, was enthralled by the stories of seasoned reporters who visited her parents’ social events. These were not just any tales; they were narratives of turning points in history – the Vietnam War, the Algerian War of Independence, the Portuguese Revolution.
“For me, it kind of activated my imagination,” she recalls. “I always thought it would be nice to do that, to tell these stories and to watch history and tell those stories as they happen.”
Surrounded by the tools and trappings of visual storytelling, Princess Rym epitomises the very core of the story she aims to rewrite in this environment. She has devoted her life to changing the media scene in the Arab world, having founded the Jordan Media Institute (JMI) and once worked as a CNN journalist. Her path from the front lines of war-torn Baghdad to the halls of academia in Amman is evidence of her unfailing confidence in the power of narrative and the vital role media plays in shaping society.
Princess Rym’s early obsession with journalism set her on a road leading from the stately halls of Columbia University’s School of Journalism into the chaos of global reporting. Her work at CNN, particularly during her time as a Baghdad reporter from 2001 to 2004, proved to be a crucible that shaped her perspective on the journalist’s sacred obligation: to tell the truth and do no harm.
These were the years when Princess Rym honed her ability to navigate the fine line between factual reporting and honouring her subjects’ human dignity. She describes a poignant incident that occurred when an aircraft crashed in Bahrain, where she refrained from interviewing bereaved families immediately after they had identified their departed loved ones.
“As a journalist, you strive to be objective – it’s not necessarily your role to be empathetic.” She then notes: “You know what they say, the role of a journalist is to tell the story and do no harm. At that time, I thought it was pointless and honestly a bit intrusive and disrespectful to do that.”
Making journalism ethical again
Later on, this dedication to ethical journalism would become the cornerstone of her vision for the Jordan Media Institute, which she founded in 2007. Born out of a discussion with her husband, Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein, Princess Rym responded to the rising demand for professional journalism training in the region.
“There were some journalism programmes that had started very strongly actually, but over the years, they kind of went downhill – maybe due to a lack of funding and perhaps a lack of space for expression in some areas,” she says.
The princess’s explicit goal was to establish an institution that would be acknowledged globally while being firmly anchored in local needs and cultural context, thereby setting a new benchmark for journalism education in the Arab world.
Princess Rym’s vision for JMI was not just about creating journalists but about fostering a new generation of media professionals who could hold power to account and serve the public interest. “I thought it would be a good service to our country because I think a healthy society needs good, solid, and professional journalists,” she states emphatically.
The JMI, which started about 15 years ago, has grown to be a shining example of journalistic excellence in the region. Its graduates now hold major roles in media outlets throughout Jordan, Palestine, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and beyond. For Princess Rym, though, the task is far from complete. She acknowledges, her tone a mix of pride and resolve, “I think there’s always going to be a need for improvement and things we can do better.”
AI, bias, and the future of journalism
The princess’s vision for JMI extends beyond traditional reporting. The institute has embraced the opportunities and challenges posed by the digital world in recent years, adding courses on artificial intelligence and data journalism to its curriculum.
“We have introduced data journalism; we have introduced artificial intelligence. This was just the first year last year that we introduced AI courses, but now we’re going to develop the AI curriculum even more.”
Princess Rym is acutely aware of the challenges AI presents in the media world, particularly regarding its Western bias. “It has a Western inclination whether we like it or not,” she says.
“There may be a shift in the future [when] the more non-Western material becomes available. Still, for the time being, it is mostly reliant on Western data.”
This recognition reveals her intention to create a distinct Arab perspective in journalism training.
But Princess Rym’s aspirations extend far beyond Jordan’s borders. She sees JMI as the standard-bearer for Arab journalism everywhere. “The idea when we created JMI was to ensure that our region had a journalism standard that would be recognised everywhere, that would meet international standards, and that would be systematically implemented across the board,” she explains.
Given current developments, this regional focus is particularly significant. Especially in light of the ongoing crisis in Gaza, the princess does not shy away from addressing the challenges facing Arab world journalists.
“We’ve seen with what’s happening in Gaza that there’s a huge gap in coverage,” she says, her voice becoming sombre. “Many Western reporters themselves have criticised the way their own news sources have presented the news.”
Princess Rym believes there is an urgent need for strong, independent Arab voices in the global media landscape. She is quick to note, however, that independence does not mean disengagement from the government. Rather, she advocates for robust public media to serve as a bridge between the people and the government.
“The government must pay attention to the media to better understand the public’s concerns,” she says, quoting Abraham Lincoln: “Tell your people the truth and your country will be safe.”
The importance of film in storytelling
Beyond traditional media, the princess also highlights the importance of film in storytelling. Having presided over the Amman International Film Festival and served on the Royal Film Commission, she sees films as another powerful tool for social change and narrative.
“In film, especially, you see a lot of stories about women and the concerns and challenges women face in our society,” she says, emphasising the unique perspective female filmmakers bring to the industry.
Princess Rym is particularly proud of the growth of Jordan’s film industry over the last two decades.
“The idea was to build the industry when the film commission was created 21 years ago,” she says. “There were films in the past, but the industry was small.”
With a focus on first-time filmmakers and providing a platform for new voices in Arab cinema, the establishment of the Amman International Film Festival five years ago was a logical next step in this growth. She does admit, however, that challenges remain, particularly in distribution. “Distribution is a big problem,” she says frankly. “There is a lot of demand and appetite for films, but getting films distributed is tricky.”
The film industry’s distribution challenge
Envisioning a future where films from Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia can be easily viewed in Jordan and vice versa, she advocates for more independent distribution networks within the Arab world and fewer monopolies.
“We need more independent distribution networks within the Arab world and more companies like Watermelon Productions that distribute films internationally. It’s about having more access and ensuring our films are seen beyond our region. Independent distribution houses and less monopoly in distribution would help. We need more companies that enable these stories to reach global platforms.”
Indeed, her passion is closely intertwined with women’s participation in media and film. She is proud that the Arab world boasts more female filmmakers than the West, but she also notes that more work needs to be done to achieve gender balance in all aspects of life. “Working mothers absolutely need support,” she says. The princess believes that greater opportunities for women to contribute to the economy and better childcare facilities in businesses could significantly alleviate the issue.
The importance of media literacy in today’s digital landscape particularly excites the princess. Jordan’s National Agenda for Media Literacy, which the government has embraced and integrated into the national curriculum, has been developed largely under her leadership. She responds with evident satisfaction, “Right now, we are, I believe, the first country in the region to have included media literacy in our curriculum, which is very important.”
Looking to the future, Princess Rym envisions JMI expanding its reach and impact. “I’d like to see more specialisations,” she explains. “We saw the need for health, cultural, business, and sports journalists.” She also dreams of establishing a JMI award to recognise excellence in journalism across the region.
Princess Rym’s love of narrative is still evident when our conversation ends. Through journalism, film, or education, she continues to champion the power of storytelling to transform society and bridge cultural divides. Professional, ethical, and deeply rooted in the region’s reality, her vision for the future of Arab media is clear.
Referring to the significance of women’s voices in media, she remarks, “We need these voices because they represent 50 percent of our society… We are not accurately representing our society without these voices.”
As the sun sets over Amman, casting a warm glow through the windows of the Royal Film Commission’s theatre, Princess Rym stands as a beacon of hope for a new generation of Arab storytellers. Her journey from war journalist to media educator and cultural ambassador is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling and the crucial role ethical journalism will play in shaping the future of the region.
In a world increasingly divided by misinformation and cultural misunderstandings, Princess Rym’s mission to cultivate a new generation of ethical, professional journalists and filmmakers takes on a new urgency.
As she puts it with characteristic resolve: “There are always going to be challenges – it’s the nature of the job. You know, I used to be a producer and then I became a reporter. The job of a news producer is to face challenges and try to overcome them. When one challenge is met, another will arise.”
For Princess Rym, each challenge is an opportunity to rewrite the narrative, one story at a time.
In a region often misunderstood and misrepresented, Princess Rym’s efforts to nurture a new generation of Arab voices may well be the key to bridging cultural divides and fostering greater understanding on a global scale.
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