Amman, Sept 20 (Petra) – Government Communication Minister Mohammad Momani said Saturday that Arab media should be a lever of stability and moderation in the region.

Countering growing media challenges, notably disinformation and misinformation, is a collective and moral responsibility to protect societies and their intellectual security, he stressed in an address opening the third edition of the Future of Media and Communication Forum.

Welcoming Arab and foreign participants, Momani said Jordan "instilled the values ​​of dialogue and freedom of speech as a guiding compass to a brighter and more responsible future." The state's vision of freedom is founded on the principle of responsible freedom, he said, adding that freedom without responsibility means chaos.

The Kingdom strenuously moved to combat the phenomenon of media misinformation, not through restraining freedoms, but enhancing media and community awareness and encouraging verification initiatives to spread the truth, he told the gathering, which brought together more than 500 media professionals, activists, content producers, experts, international institutions, and partners from around the world.

Momani, who is also the Government's Spokesperson, said Jordan emerged as a regional leader in media and information literacy, and is now seeking to introduce AI literacy as part of the community awareness effort.

He stressed media's pivotal role in shaping public awareness, reflecting a true image of countries and societies, and preserving their security and stability.

"Speech is a trust and news is a responsibility," stressed Momani, adding that journalists and media professionals bear the responsibility for accuracy, objectivity, and awareness of the national interest.

He concluded that freedom of speech is an inherent and inviolable right, but that does not mean undermining the security or stability of countries or spreading misinformation that could harm their higher interests.

The forum, held under the theme "Media: From Freedom and Protection to Empowerment and Change," will address key challenges related to media protection and freedoms, media's role in change and empowerment, and the media landscape in the midst of conflict and crises.

The forum features three parallel sessions; developing journalists' skills and knowledge, media's role in empowerment and the ability to effect change, and digital protection, safety, and security.

//Petra//SS