Mass Media Program

In the year 2000, Bethlehem witnessed the beginning of the second Intifada. It was during this time that the New Vision Media Center was born. Dr Bishara Awad, the President of Bethlehem Bible College, saw a need to bring hope and encouragement to the Palestinian people. He saw that, a Media training program within the context of the Bible College, could provide a way of developing skills, providing employment and a means of using media to promote a better society.

During 1996 the Israeli Military withdrew from the majority of Palestinian cities leaving the way open to establish the Palestinian Broadcasting Service. Private stations were also permitted but until recently they have not been well developed or promoted. Living and working in an occupied country affected the media in that it created a “victim mentality” among journalism. Journalism needed to be ready to highlight the social problems in the society whilst aiming to assist in changing the hard conditions in which people lived.

In January 2003 the first Media Training Project began. Fourteen students joined the two year program, graduating in 2005. During these two years they studied communication, mass media, and journalism theory as well as gaining experience in web design and radio and television production. The students gained a Diploma Certificate certified by the Palestinian ministry of Higher Education.\

The Training program made every effort to use local teachers and will continue to do so. Courses will be extended as resources become available.