AMMAN — Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Momani on Saturday highlighted government’s continued efforts to strengthen media independence, modernise legislation, and expand its digital and institutional capacities.

 

In remarks to The Jordan Times marking the 80th anniversary of the Kingdom’s independence, Momani extended congratulations to His Majesty King Abdullah, HRH Crown Prince Hussein, and Jordanians, stressing that the occasion reflects national progress across various sectors, including media.

 

“His Majesty has always given attention to the media sector and to protecting Jordanians’ right to express themselves in different ways, which reflects ongoing Royal support for the sector and its role,” he said.

 

Momani, who is also the Government spokesperson, said that Jordan continues to protect the independence of media institutions, noting that this has had a direct and positive impact on the media landscape in both the public and private sectors.

 

He also highlighted ongoing efforts to modernise legislation related to the sector, which have contributed to expanding the number and diversity of licensed media institutions.

 

He also pointed to improvements in Jordan’s ranking in various media freedom indices, saying this reflects the Kingdom’s continued focus on strengthening the independence and resilience of the sector.

 

The minister noted continued work on building the capacity of human resources in media institutions across both public and private sectors, as well as emphasising the digitisation of the media sector, including print newspapers and major media outlets.

 

Momani also highlighted initiatives led by the Ministry of Government Communication in cooperation with other institutions, particularly media and information literacy projects aimed at countering misinformation and disinformation.

 

“This is the strategic solution to increasing social awareness regarding misinformation and disinformation and protecting society from these challenges,” he said.

 

He also said that Jordan is ranked third in UNESCO’s media and information literacy scenarios and is approaching the fourth level, which he described as the highest.

 

Momani also said the ministry continues to support spokespersons in various ministries and institutions by developing their capacities, noting the importance of equipping them with different skill sets to engage with the media at various levels.

 

He stressed that Jordan views strong, independent, and credible media as a key tool in combating rumours and false information, adding that this aligns with citizens’ rights to access accurate information and is an essential component of human rights.