Mays Zuhair Nubani is the presenter of Donia ya Donia Jordanian TV anchor, Mays Zuhair Nubani, has in her three year career already achieved a great deal, helping increase the profile of women in the media. Nubani presents the Donia ya Donia morning show on the Rayan satellite channel. The popularity of the show and Nubani has been credited to her absolute faith in the media’s ability to change communities for the better by shedding light on important issues.
Nubani, a University of Jordan BA graduate in Spanish and English, told Arabstoday that starting out “the main challenge of my work was the fear and anxiety of facing the camera, and that the people may not accept me.”
“I overcame this by working intensively and being prepared,” she added whilst stressing the importance of taking criticism into consideration.
Nubani stressed that fame was not her target when she began working in the media, and that fame is only an outcome of the scale of the impact you have on the audience. She pointed out that there are many journalists in the print media who are more famous than anchors. "I do not want fame. I am convinced that it contradicts my privacy and limits my personal freedom,” she conceded. “Still I feel happy with it, I feel good when someone expresses their respect and appreciation of my work.”
Nubani considers herself lucky to have had supporters at the beginning of her media career. Her father is the Jordanian artist Zuhair Nubani, he provided support and encouragement for her to pursue a career in the media.
Starting in 2010, her show on Radio Mazaj is now one of the stations longest running programmes. Regarding her experience as a radio anchor, Nubani says; "I aimed to gain experience, and I thought that radio was the best training for my voice.”
As an anchor Nubani recognises the importance of adapting to new media but is still weary of the risk of defamation and the "the lack of credibility” of some sources.
Her popularity can also be credited to her humility. Nubani chooses her own “eloquent” clothes for TV, "I take into consideration that I am a guest in so many houses, from different social classes," she said.
“The ability and dedication make you a success,” Nubani mused, admitting she does not support, or see why female news anchors should undergo plastic surgery.