Amman: Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Momani on Saturday articulated a vision of freedom of expression as a profound moral and national responsibility, cautioning that it must not be wielded as an instrument for fomenting sedition or propagating hatred. He observed that certain media entities function as political conduits, cloaking their agendas under the guise of free expression, while firmly asserting Jordan's enduring resilience against all attempts to incite media-driven discord.
According to Jordan News Agency, these remarks were delivered during a dialogue session entitled "Enhancing Public Awareness in Confronting Rumors and Hate Speech," convened by the "Shabat Foundation for Women's Political Empowerment" on Saturday. Minister Momani, who is also Government Spokesperson, underscored that the battle against misinformation and hate speech is a collective national imperative, transcending the sole purview of the state and its institutions.
Momani urged the prioritization of "awareness, truthfulness, and a sense of responsibility in every word we publish and every stance we adopt." He characterized the media as a pivotal partner in molding public consciousness, disseminating verifiable facts, systematically debunking rumors, and cultivating a national dialogue anchored in enduring principles.
"Jordan, under the sagacious leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, is a standard-bearer for moderation, espousing a narrative founded on rationality, openness, and profound respect for pluralism," stated Momani. "It is from this principled foundation that our nation will steadfastly remain an impenetrable fortress against any force that seeks to undermine its social cohesion and national unity."
He highlighted that an informed citizenry constitutes the nation's "most valuable asset," emphasizing the collective obligation to elevate societal discernment amidst the pervasive and often overwhelming influx of information characteristic of the modern era.
"Our communication, whether through media, political, or social channels, conveys an unequivocal message: there is no sanctuary for rumors, nor a fertile ground for hate speech within our society a society fundamentally built upon the pillars of tolerance and fellowship," the Minister affirmed.
Elaborating on the insidious nature of misinformation, Momani explained, "A rumor is not merely deceptive information; it can be a pernicious tool designed to erode societal trust and instill widespread uncertainty, thereby cultivating an environment ripe for sedition." He further warned, "Hate speech actively corrodes societal peace, erodes the foundations of national cohesion, and poses a direct threat to our security and stability."
The Minister detailed that the Ministry of Government Communication, through its dedicated media and information literacy endeavors, is committed to countering hate speech. This is being pursued through a carefully structured awareness framework that scrupulously upholds the constitutionally enshrined freedom of expression.
In this context, Momani unveiled an ambitious, multi-year strategic action plan, to be executed in collaboration with the Jordan Media Institute. This initiative will feature comprehensive training workshops on media literacy, conducted in partnership with education directorates across all governorates, explicitly aimed at fortifying the capacity of youth to discern rumor from verifiable fact.