Rising to the Challenge: A Conversation with Rawan Damen 

In the series, Digital Media Shakers, we highlight bold voices shaping public interest and independent media. These are individuals whose passion goes beyond the medium – they are working to create lasting change in the digital media industry. 

As Director General of Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ), Rawan Damen has dedicated her career to championing public interest journalism across the MENA region. In this conversation, she reflects on her journey, the challenges facing independent media in the MENA region, and her hopes for the future. 

We had the privilege to interview Rawan during the TFGBV Reporting Fellowship in Amman, Jordan, where RNW Media conducted a 3-day workshop with 9 media-makers from Jordan and Iraq geared towards reporting on technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), from a rights-based, evidence-driven, and gender-sensitive lens.  

Meet Rawan Damen: Leading ARIJ with Purpose

RNW Media: Public interest journalism has been under immense pressure in recent years. How do you see the current situation in the region? 
Rawan: “At ARIJ, our work is focused on investigations that serve the public — exposing wrongdoing, following the money, and giving voice to those who are often silenced. But the challenges in MENA are enormous. War zones, corruption, and state or privately-owned media tied to governments all restrict freedom of expression. That’s why, for our 18th Annual Forum this December, we chose the slogan ‘Rise to the Challenge.’ It is a call to journalists across the region to face these realities together and to continue striving for accountability and democracy.” 

RNW Media: What issues will be at the centre of this year’s ARIJ Forum? 
Rawan: “Climate change, environmental concerns, the safety of journalists, and combating disinformation are among the priorities. Last year we hosted around 750 participants, and this year we expect close to 1,000. The forum is a chance to collaborate, share solutions, and build resilience.” 

Opportunities and Risks in the New Media Era

RNW Media: Amid challenges such as disinformation and censorship, do you see positive trends in the media landscape? 
Rawan: “Yes. Over the past few years, we’ve seen more skilled journalists and fact-checkers who are working to international standards. The digital and AI revolutions are transforming our work. These technologies can make us more efficient and help us reach wider audiences. But they also bring new risks — biases in AI, and the spread of misinformation or malinformation. We need to understand these tools critically while embracing their potential. There is a growing importance for Arabic-language content, big data, and AI-driven journalism in the region. This is the era we are moving into, and we must ensure we contribute to shaping it.” 

RNW Media: As a woman in the media, what advice would you give to others hoping to enter the field? 
Rawan: “For every female journalist who wants to enter the media field, whether in the MENA region or globally, you need to believe in yourself and in your skills. Journalism is not easy. It requires patience, resilience, and hard work. But it is incredibly rewarding. One day you might interview a migrant worker, the next a prime minister, a child, or an elder. No other profession gives you that access to such a wide spectrum of society. If I could choose again, I would still choose journalism.” 

Rising to the Challenge, Together

Damen’s message is clear: journalism in the MENA region faces formidable challenges, but also unprecedented opportunities. Rising to the challenge, she argues, means not only confronting threats but also seizing the tools of a new media era to strengthen public interest journalism. And as the region steps into this new era, one question remains: How will the next generation of journalists choose to rise to the challenge? 

Stay tuned for the next Digital Media Shaker in our series!