FAQ

ARIJ’s Annual Forum is the only regional gathering for investigative journalists and editors in the Middle East and North Africa. Attendees trade tips and skills with award-winning media trainers and have the rare chance to be coached by the leaders of the global investigative journalism movement.

This year’s Forum topic will tackle one of the major issues facing journalists across the globe: “The future of Investigative Reporting: Trends, Tools and Technologies”.

The Forum is the centerpiece of our mission at Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) to train and equip journalists to serve as society’s “watchdogs” in favour of democracy, transparency and the rule of law. The conference also provides a great recruiting opportunity for major sponsors.

More than 400 people will meet at the Dead Sea, in Jordan, from November 30 to December 2nd, 2018, to boost reporting skills, learn new tools, get acquainted with the latest trends in investigative reporting, and to network with TV broadcasters, technology companies, and universities from around the globe. Journalists will be learning how to counter the legal, political, professional, economic, and societal challenges hindering the role of the “Fourth Estate” in ensuring accountability.

We are providing an early bird discount and fellowship opportunities to bring as many investigative journalists to the Forum as possible. Learn more about the more than 100 fellowship opportunities and apply before November 5.

We have organized more than 40 panels, training sessions, plenary sessions and workshops, bringing in the world’s leading investigative reporters, editors, producers and Media Development Experts.

You can review the program for ARIJ18, and its speakers here.

#ARIJ8 will begin with an opening ceremony on Friday, Nov. 30, from 6 p.m. and conclude with a closing ceremony Sunday, Dec. 2 at 9:30 p.m. Other workshops and side meetings are hosted before and after the Forum.

The Forum will be held at the King Hussein Convention Center, Hilton Hotel, Dead Sea, Jordan.

Visit the ARIJ18 Forum website to register to attend the Forum. The early bird registration fee is $290 until Nov. 5. After that, the fee goes to $320.

Once you fill out the registration form, you will be directed to the payment information page. You can pay with Mastercard, Visa, AMEX, or Discover.

If you are sponsored by ARIJ or one of its partners, an email will be sent to your account to complete your registration, contact your liaison officer at ARIJ or at its partner organization.

The Forum fee includes full entry to 40 panels, workshops, and special sessions. It also includes dinner on Nov. 30 and lunch and dinner on Dec. 1 and 2, two coffee breaks on each day of the Forum and 16 percent sales tax.

We have identified a number of quality hotels near the Dead Sea and negotiated discounts for our attendees. Check our hotels page for booking codes. We suggest  that you book early as reservations will fill up quickly.

We have many trips running between the airport and the hotel. To secure a place please send an email to Lina@ARIJ.net  with the Subject Line “Airport Transport” and attach a copy of your E-ticket, and we will arrange for you to be picked up.

Transportation costs will be within the arriving party and are as follows:

• Small Car= 55 JOD ($78)
• Minivan = 80 JOD ($113)
• Bus 18 max. = 150 JOD ($212)
• Bus 50 max. = 250 JOD = ($353)

A long list of countries do not require visas to enter Jordan. You can read more about visas here. If you do need a visa, once your registration is confirmed, please send an email to Lina@ARIJ.net with the subject line “Request for Invitation Letter- *Your Name*” in order for us to send you an invitation letter for your visa application.

Note: Journalists from Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Sudan, Libya, Gaza and Somalia require security clearance from the Jordanian Interior Ministry in addition to a visa. The clearance process can take up to six weeks, therefore, we urge you to register as soon as possible and send us a copy of your passport so that we can obtain your security clearance in time.

Each year we depend on the generosity and support of our media outlets, foundations, law firms, banks, and corporations to organize the Forum. This event is a centerpiece of our mission at ARIJ to train and equip journalists as society’s “watchdogs” in favor of democracy, transparency and rule of law.

The Forum provides a great recruiting opportunity for major sponsors. Sponsor support helps us keep registration fees low, thus ensuring that attendance remains robust even when training and travel budgets are lean. For more information, please contact ARIJ’s Business Specialist Yazan Abu Al Rous Yazan.rous@ARIJ.net.

You can view the list of ARIJ18 Partners here.

You can also view our sponsorship packages here.

Our sponsors and partners attend our annual Forum for the following reasons: ­

1. Media around the world face declining revenue even as they struggle to embrace new tools and technologies for disseminating information to the public.
2. “Good journalism practices” end up by the wayside when scores of journalists are laid off due to worsening economics in the media industry. Your company can help by supporting the training of Entrepreneurial Investigative Journalists.
3. This training is about how to develop multiple sources of revenue for independent media practitioners. It’s also about using new professional tools in a fast-changing sector. Supporting independent media accelerates the pace towards democracy by providing a “voice to the many voiceless,” allowing people to make fact­- based decisions, and holding leaders accountable.

Yes. ARIJ and its partners provide more than 100 fellowships for journalists from developing Arab countries to attend. The deadline to apply to a fellowship is Oct. 22. Read more about the different opportunities here.

Jordan uses the Jordanian Dinars (JD). Bank notes are issued in 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 JD, and coins come in denominations of 5p, 10p, 25p and 50p. Debit and credit cards are widely accepted, particularly MasterCard, Visa and American Express. You can read more about Jordan and its currency here. You can also consult the currency converter tool here.

Winters in Jordan are generally short and cool. December to January is the coldest month, with temperatures ranging from 5-10°C (41-50°F). About 70% of the average annual rainfall in the country falls during these months. Amman can be especially cold in January and February and snow is not uncommon. However, the Dead Sea, Jordan Valley and the area around Aqaba are reasonably warm during the day, with a slight chill in the evenings. You can read more about the weather in Jordan here and weather forecasts can be found here.

The dress code for #ARIJ18 is casual. Jeans, sneakers, shirts or t-shirts are generally acceptable. However formal attire is advised for the Awards Ceremony dinner Sunday evening. You should also pack a warm, waterproof jacket for night time.

Jordan is a safe country in which to travel. Authorities take security seriously and Jordanians take pride in the safety and hospitality of their culture. Read more about safety in Jordan here.

From the reception on Opening Day to luncheons, dinners, movie screenings and the Gala Dinner and Ball dance on the closing night there will be many networking opportunities.

The official languages at the Forum will be Arabic and English. Simultaneous interpreters will be present in all sessions. Translations of documents and announcements will also be provided for speakers, if in need, please send your documents and presentations to Yazan.rous@arij.net

Journalists who attend can expect to network with hundreds of media professionals and investigative reporters, to enhance their skills and learn new tools to take back to their newsrooms, and to learn how to counter the many legal, political, professional, economic, and societal challenges hindering the free press in this region.