Al-Momani: Youth are partners in shaping the digital space and confronting misinformation
Amman4 min read
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Minister of Government Communications and Government Spokesperson, Dr. Mohammad Al-Momani, affirmed that youth have become essential partners in shaping the digital space, producing content, and influencing it, which places upon them a significant social responsibility in dealing with circulated information and news, and verifying its accuracy before publishing or interacting with it.
During his participation today, Friday, in the opening of the "Media and Youth Forum," as part of the "Future of Media and Communication" conference organized by the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ), Al-Momani said that the role of youth is no longer limited to receiving information and news, but they have become a fundamental part of digital content creation and participating in shaping and influencing this space.
He explained that this participation places a great responsibility on youth in dealing with information, starting with verifying its accuracy and confirming its sources, then making a responsible decision regarding its circulation, especially since some misinformation may cause harm to society, national and economic security, and social peace.
He stressed that the responsibility of youth is not limited to refraining from spreading misinformation, but extends to contributing to raising society's awareness of its dangers and promoting a culture of verification and validation of news and information circulated through digital platforms.
Al-Momani pointed to the increasing importance of the concept of "digital citizenship," which is based on conscious and responsible interaction with information and digital content, noting that youth represent the largest segment of those interacting in the digital space, which gives them a pivotal role in consolidating positive digital practices.
He expressed his pride in the level of awareness enjoyed by Jordanian youth, their responsible digital presence, and their ability to employ this space in the service of their society and country by verifying information and dealing with it responsibly.
He noted that Jordan has made significant progress in the field of media and information literacy through efforts made to enhance society's capabilities to deal with the large influx of fake and misleading news, confirming that higher levels of awareness and education enhance the ability of societies to benefit from digital openness and employ it in construction and development.
He indicated that the digital space provides wide opportunities for knowledge, communication, and development in various fields, but at the same time, it involves challenges and negative practices that require everyone's cooperation to confront, especially youth, as they are the most present and active in this space.
Al-Momani confirmed that official authorities continue their efforts to develop the capabilities of youth for responsible digital interaction, expressing his confidence in the awareness of Jordanian youth, their level of education, and their ability to deal positively with rapid digital developments.
He expressed his pride in the Jordanian media professionals who hold leadership positions in media institutions outside the Kingdom, pointing to what he witnessed during his recent participation in a media conference in Dubai regarding the distinguished Jordanian presence and the praise for national competencies and expertise.
Al-Momani valued the efforts of the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists and those organizing the forum, as well as the importance of the sessions and topics discussed, especially regarding the role of youth in shaping the future of media and enhancing their participation in the digital space.
For his part, the Director of the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists, Nidal Mansour, touched on the shifts witnessed in patterns of thinking and dealing with media messages across generations, and the role of algorithms and modern technology in changing communication methods and media content consumption.
Mansour emphasized the importance of exchanging experiences between generations and benefiting from accumulated media expertise alongside the capabilities and skills of youth in dealing with modern media tools, foremost among them artificial intelligence technologies.
He warned against the rapid spread of misinformation across digital platforms, noting that what is known as "angry news" receives wide interaction, especially among youth groups, which calls for enhancing media skills among journalists, youth, and content creators, and consolidating awareness and responsibility in dealing with information.
The "Media and Youth Forum" comes as part of the activities of the "Future of Media and Communication" conference organized by the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists, with the participation of media professionals, experts, content creators, and youth, to discuss the most prominent shifts and challenges facing the media sector in light of rapid technological development.
The forum includes a series of discussion sessions that address the reality and future of youth in digital media, shifts in patterns of using digital platforms, in addition to reviewing Jordanian experiences in content creation and social impact, and the future skills needed by media professionals and young content creators.
