We had the privilege to interview Rawan during the TFGBV Reporting Fellowship in Amman, Jordan<\/strong>, 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.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n RNW Media: Public interest journalism has been under immense pressure in recent years. How do you see the current situation in the region?<\/strong>\u00a0 RNW Media: What issues will be at the centre of this year\u2019s ARIJ Forum?<\/strong> RNW Media: Amid challenges such as disinformation and censorship, do you see positive trends in the media landscape?<\/strong> RNW Media: As a woman in the media, what advice would you give to others hoping to enter the field?<\/strong>\u00a0 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?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rnw.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/3-1024x576.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMeet Rawan Damen: Leading ARIJ with Purpose<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Rawan:<\/strong> \u201cAt ARIJ, our work is focused on investigations that serve the public \u2014 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\u2019s why, for our 18th Annual Forum this December,<\/a> we chose the slogan \u2018Rise to the Challenge.\u2019<\/em> It is a call to journalists across the region to face these realities together and to continue striving for accountability and democracy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rawan<\/strong>: \u201cClimate 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.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\nOpportunities and Risks in the New Media Era<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Rawan<\/strong>: \u201cYes. Over the past few years, we\u2019ve 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 \u2014 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.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rnw.media\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2-1024x576.png\")
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Rawan:<\/strong> \u201cFor 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nRising to the Challenge, Together<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n