AmmanNet, the Arab world’s first Internet radio station, won the gold medal at the 2006 Pan Arab Media Awards. The ceremony, in its second year was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in

The

Daoud Kuttab founder of AmmanNet hailed the prize as a recognition by the Arab world that the Net can be a strategic instrument to bypass traditional roadblocks to independent media in general and independent radio in particular.

The web designer of Ammannet, Raed Nesheiwat of the Jordanian IT company Tamamtech, says that he was thrilled that the award recognized open source software powering the site. "We have worked hard to customize the content management site using the open source Campsite software initially created by MDLF to be available license-free  for use by any interested Arab media entrepreneur."

www.Ammannet.net   was established in 2000 as an internet radio station. In June 2005 it began broadcasting terrestrially on 92.4 FM in the

   Daoud Kuttab

Two months before the Palestinian election, I met in Ramallah with Hassan Yousef, a senior West Bank leader of Hamas. Talking to him before he began an interview on our Ramallah TV station about the upcoming elections, Yousef told me that it would be wrong for Hamas to win more than 25 per cent of the Palestinian Legislative Council seats.

The Hamas leader who was reported to have had some problems with his own leadership is now held in administrative detention by Israel, without trial or charge. His advice was not heeded by Hamas leadership. All Hamas nominees (including the imprisoned Yousef) won four seats for the Ramallah district. The fifth Ramallah seat was won by the Fateh candidate who competed for the district’s quote allocated to Palestinian Christians.

Daoud Kuttab

Although it appears that the political stalemate continues on the Palestinian-Israeli front, a possible breakthrough seems closer than in the past. Various pieces of the puzzle appear to be falling into place following the Palestinian and Israeli elections.

Three interesting statements made within 24 hours after the announcement of the Israeli election exit polls can give us a glimpse at what may be lying ahead.

Ehud Olmert, whose Kadima Party netted the largest number of Knesset seats, made a peaceful overture to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, calling him to face-to-face negotiations aimed at producing peace. Abbas didn’t wait long, initiating a congratulatory phone call to the Israeli leader and agreeing to participate in meaningful negotiations that can be wrapped up within one year.