Jerash Hosts National Initiative to Bolster Media Literacy Among Jordanian Youth
The Ministry of Government Communication, in strategic partnership with the Ministry of Youth, officially inaugurated a comprehensive media and information literacy workshop at the Jerash Youth Center this past Thursday. The event, held as a cornerstone of the “Jordanian Narrative Camp” under the 2026 Hussein Camps for Work and Construction program, gathered 30 young participants. The primary objective of this initiative is to equip the next generation with the critical tools necessary to navigate the complexities of the digital age, with a specific focus on honing fact-checking skills and developing a robust defense against the proliferation of rumors, misinformation, and fake news.
Majd Al-Amad, Director of Media Policies and External Media at the Ministry of Government Communication, opened the proceedings by highlighting the profound impact of rapid digital transformation. She noted that as individuals transition into both consumers and producers of digital content, the global communication landscape has become increasingly volatile. While acknowledging the opportunities for expanded connectivity, Al-Amad warned of the escalating challenges, particularly the spread of hate speech and privacy violations. She emphasized that media literacy is no longer an optional academic pursuit but an essential life skill, vital for fostering critical thinking and responsible engagement in both traditional and digital spaces.
The ministry’s long-term vision, as outlined by Al-Amad, involves a nationwide rollout of these training programs to ensure that youth across all governorates are empowered. This initiative is deeply rooted in the National Media and Information Literacy Strategy, designed to integrate these competencies into educational curricula. By building these capacities, the government aims to create a more resilient society. Beyond mere information consumption, the program seeks to cultivate a generation capable of preserving national identity while participating in informed discourse on public issues, ensuring that Jordan’s youth remain the primary defenders of the truth in the digital era.
Local officials echoed the importance of this inter-ministerial synergy. Abdelilah Al-Mashaqbeh, the Jerash Youth Director, lauded the collaboration, noting that the Jordanian Narrative Camp serves as a vital vessel for reinforcing national identity and deepening an appreciation for Jordan’s rich cultural heritage. He reiterated that the Ministry of Youth considers media literacy a top priority, viewing it as a shield that enables young people to confront the threats posed by misleading information. By fostering a culture of responsible digital interaction, the ministry hopes to safeguard the youth from the negative influences of unchecked content circulating on modern platforms.
Adding an academic and ethical dimension to the discourse, journalism specialist Taha Darwish underscored the historical significance of Jerash as a hub for intellectual growth. Darwish moved beyond technical advice, grounding the need for media literacy in historical and moral principles. He pointed to the Quranic injunction “Fatabayyanu” (Verify) as an ancient and universal mandate to confirm the accuracy of information before dissemination. This moral call to action served as the workshop’s central theme: that the responsibility to combat false narratives is a collective duty, requiring every participant to exercise extreme caution and diligence before hitting the “share” button on social media.
Ultimately, the workshop stands as a testament to the ongoing commitment of the Jordanian government to prioritize information integrity. By bridging the gap between historical values and modern digital demands, the initiative seeks to foster a generation that is not only tech-savvy but ethically grounded. As the program prepares to expand across the kingdom, it sets a precedent for how national agencies can collaborate to inoculate youth against the dangers of the information age, ensuring that the digital future of Jordan is built upon a foundation of critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and responsible communication.