Jordan Daily – Amman hosted a two-day conference titled “Community Media in the Digital Age” on November 15 and 16, bringing together nearly 300 journalists from across the Arab world, along with regional and international experts. The event was held under patronage and in the presence of the Minister of Government Communication and Official Government Spokesperson, Dr. Mohammad Al Momani.
The conference explored the meaning and significance of community-owned media, operating independently from official and commercial pressures. Journalist Daoud Kuttab of the AmmanNet Radio Foundation presented the pioneering experience of the Arab world’s first online radio station, established in 2000 and later transitioned to FM broadcasting in 2005.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Al Momani emphasized that the conference provides a vital platform for dialogue on the role of community media in enhancing citizen engagement, empowering youth, and fostering a culture of openness and constructive dialogue. He highlighted its role in countering misinformation and hate speech in today’s digital environment.
“We want critical media that seeks the truth, avoiding the propagation of negativity,” stated the Minister, stressing that the digital era requires a fundamental shift from traditional to highly interactive content, making the transition to digital platforms an urgent necessity.
He further noted that community media has become a trusted platform that bridges the state and society, deepening open dialogues especially on development and rights issues. He affirmed that the government’s approach is increasingly enabling rather than restrictive, committed to providing an environment that balances freedom, responsibility, digital openness, and the protection of public interest.
Focus on Youth and Sustainability
The conference affirmed the essential role of community media in empowering youth as emerging opinion-makers through media training programs and national initiatives that promote media and information literacy. This is crucial for building a national consciousness grounded in tolerance, diversity, and active citizenship, while also countering disinformation and hate speech.
Participants examined the future of community media in the digital era, the contribution of community radio to sustainable development, and the role of youth empowerment. A dedicated session for Jordanian community radio stations focused on:
- Protecting media independence
- Innovation and diversity in digital content
- Citizen journalism and civic participation
- Balancing digital opportunities with societal protection
- Ensuring financial and administrative sustainability
Solidarity with Palestinian Journalists
The participants expressed solidarity with journalists in Palestine, particularly those in the Gaza Strip. They called for accountability for the Israeli occupation’s violations against journalists and demanded an end to impunity.
Recommendations
The conference concluded with the adoption of the following recommendations:
- Raise Official and Public Awareness: Enhance governmental and public understanding of the essential role of community media in development and societal protection.
- Facilitate Legislation: Create a supportive legal framework that enables local community organizations to establish, develop, and sustain community media initiatives.
- Financial Relief: Exempt community radio stations from fees and licensing costs to strengthen their financial sustainability and enable them to fulfill their developmental mission without undue burdens.
- Support Decentralization: Promote the decentralization of media by supporting community stations in governorates facing significant challenges, particularly digital ones.
- Reform Cybercrime Legislation: Amend cybercrime laws to protect freedom of expression and journalistic work, providing a safe environment for journalists and community platforms free from disproportionate penalties.
- Maintain Integrity in the Digital Age: Utilize the advantages of the digital revolution without compromising credibility and independence, ensuring appropriate human oversight in all interactions with artificial intelligence tools before publication.
- Institutional Unity: Coordinate and regulate the work of local, university, municipal, and private community radio stations within a unified framework that advocates for their rights and supports legislation that enables community media.
- Boost Regional and International Cooperation: Strengthen collaboration to share Jordan’s pioneering experiences and expand partnerships with specialized organizations to build the capacities of Arab community media institutions.
- Sustain Engagement: Continue holding regional and international meetings and encourage the establishment of a Community Media Alliance for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The statement recommends hosting an annual conference for the Community Media Network in early May to coincide with World Press Freedom Day (May 3).
- Allocate Frequencies and Digital Resources: Reserve a portion of the radio spectrum and digital bandwidth for community media use.
- Establish a Regional Fund: Create a dedicated regional fund to support community media across the Middle East and North Africa.
The participants reaffirmed that community media is a catalyst for sustainable development, a tool for enhancing transparency and active citizenship, and a leading model for Jordan in integrating government communication with community-based media to serve citizens and advance the public interest.
