Jerash, Aug. 6 (Petra)– Ali Freihat – The Ministry of Government
Communication, in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth, on Thursday
launched a media and information literacy workshop at the Jerash
Youth Center as part of the Jordanian Narrative Camp under the 2026
Hussein Camps for Work and Construction program.

The workshop brought together 30 young participants and aims to
strengthen media awareness, develop fact-checking skills, and enhance
young people’s ability to combat rumors, misinformation, and fake
news.

Opening the workshop, Director of Media Policies and External Media
at the Ministry of Government Communication, Majd Al-Amad, said the
rapid digital transformation has fundamentally changed the way
information is produced and shared, making every individual both a
consumer and producer of content. While this has expanded
opportunities for communication, she noted, it has also created
significant challenges, including the spread of misinformation, hate
speech, and violations of privacy.

Al-Amad stressed that media and information literacy has become an
essential life skill, enabling young people to think critically,
verify information, and engage responsibly with traditional and
digital media platforms. She added that the ministry is promoting
media literacy across society through capacity-building programs and
by integrating media literacy competencies into educational curricula
to help build a more informed and resilient society capable of
countering disinformation.

She said the training program, which began in Jerash, will be rolled
out across all governorates to reach the widest possible segment of
Jordanian youth. The initiative, she added, aligns with the National
Media and Information Literacy Strategy and contributes to preparing
a generation capable of strengthening national identity while
engaging responsibly with public issues.

Jerash Youth Director Abdelilah Al-Mashaqbeh highlighted the
importance of cooperation between the Ministries of Youth and
Government Communication in delivering quality programs targeting
young people. He said the Jordanian Narrative Camp forms part of
national efforts to reinforce national identity and deepen awareness
of Jordan’s history and cultural heritage.

Al-Mashaqbeh emphasized that the Ministry of Youth places significant
importance on media literacy programs as a means of empowering young
people to confront rumors and misleading information while enhancing
their ability to interact responsibly with digital content. He also
praised the Ministry of Government Communication for supporting youth
initiatives and raising awareness about the importance of responsible
media use.

Academic and journalism specialist Taha Darwish said Jerash, with its
rich cultural and historical heritage, continues to host intellectual
and cultural events that promote public awareness. He stressed that
combating rumors and false information is a shared responsibility
requiring collective efforts.

Darwish noted that media literacy is not merely a modern concept but
a practice rooted in the principle of verification, citing the
Quranic injunction, “Verify” (“Fatabayyanu”), as a longstanding call
to confirm the accuracy of information before sharing it. He urged
participants to exercise caution when engaging with content
circulated on social media and to avoid spreading unverified
information.

The workshop is part of ongoing cooperation between the Ministry of
Government Communication and the Ministry of Youth to enhance media
awareness among young Jordanians, strengthen critical thinking and
fact-checking skills, and promote responsible engagement with digital
platforms and social media.

//Petra// MF