Culture as commodity harms journalism
The article addressed the issue of the commodification of culture and the difficulty readers face in accessing books, with a focus on organizing the Amman International Book Fair. It pointed out that holding the fair in a shopping center like Mecca Mall reflects a disconnect between the status of books and that of shopping, and suggested that it would be better to host the fair in cultural venues and in areas closer to the public, especially in the governorates, to facilitate easier access for everyone. The article also discussed the rise in book prices as a major factor influencing readers' purchasing decisions, highlighted the struggles publishers face due to increasing publishing costs that impact book issuance, and emphasized the need for balance among publishers, authors, and readers. It stressed that the true success of the fair is not measured by the number of visitors, but by how close books come to people and how widespread reading becomes. The ultimate goal, it said, is to fill homes with books, not merely to fill halls with visitors.
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