When Mohammad Momani stepped up to speak at the opening of the “Media and Youth Forum” in Amman, his message was not the usual government address. It was a recognition that the relationship between young people and the media has fundamentally changed. The forum, held as part of the larger “Future of Media and Communication” conference organized by the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists, brought together journalists, experts, content creators, and young people to think about where media is heading. Momani, who serves as Jordan’s Government Communication Minister and Government Spokesperson, made it clear that young people are no longer sitting on the sidelines of the digital revolution. They are not just readers, viewers, or listeners. They are creators, commentators, and curators. They shape the digital space, produce content, and influence public conversation in ways that older generations could never have imagined. But with that new influence comes a heavy responsibility. Momani emphasized that the same digital tools that allow young people to express themselves and share ideas also allow falsehoods to travel at lightning speed. This means that every young person who engages with news online has a duty to pause, question, and verify before hitting share. It is a message that acknowledges the power of youth while asking them to wield that power thoughtfully, not just for their own benefit but for the health of their communities and their country.
At the heart of Momani’s speech was a simple but urgent point: the responsibility to verify information before sharing it is no longer just a professional obligation for journalists. It has become a civic duty for everyone, especially the young people who dominate digital platforms. He warned that misinformation is not a harmless nuisance. It can damage society, threaten national and economic security, and tear at the fabric of social peace. In an age where a single false post can go viral in minutes, the consequences of careless sharing can be severe. Momani argued that young people’s role goes beyond simply avoiding the spread of misleading information. They should also become active defenders of truth in their online communities. This means raising awareness about the dangers of fake news, encouraging their peers to think critically, and promoting a culture of fact-checking across all digital spaces. He connected this to the growing concept of digital citizenship, which is about engaging with information responsibly and ethically. Since young people make up the largest share of users in the digital space, they are in the best position to set the tone for how information is treated online. If they embrace a culture of verification, they can help build a healthier digital environment. If they do not, the consequences will be felt far beyond the screen. Momani’s words were a call to action, not a lecture. He was asking young people to see themselves not just as users of technology, but as guardians of a digital commons that belongs to everyone.
Momani also took time to express genuine pride in Jordanian youth, describing them as aware, responsible, and capable of using digital platforms for the good of their communities. He spoke about the significant progress Jordan has made in media and information literacy, efforts that have strengthened society’s ability to navigate the overwhelming flood of fake and misleading news. In a world where information comes at us from every direction, the ability to sort fact from fiction has become as essential as reading and writing. Momani noted that higher levels of awareness and education give communities the tools they need to benefit from digital openness rather than be harmed by it. Instead of treating the digital space as something dangerous, he framed it as an opportunity that can be channeled toward development and progress, provided people are equipped to use it wisely. Of course, he did not ignore the challenges. The digital space offers incredible possibilities for knowledge, communication, and advancement in almost every field. But it also comes with negative practices and risks that require collective effort to address. Young people, as the most active users of these platforms, are essential partners in that effort. They are not just the future of the digital world; they are the present. Momani’s confidence in them was clear. He expressed faith in their awareness, their educational achievements, and their ability to respond positively to the rapid changes that technology brings. He also reminded the audience that official institutions in Jordan continue to work on strengthening young people’s capacity for responsible digital engagement, ensuring that they have the support they need to meet the challenges of a constantly evolving media landscape.
Beyond the domestic picture, Momani touched on a source of national pride that is often overlooked: the success of Jordanian media professionals on the international stage. He spoke warmly about Jordanians who have risen to senior positions at media institutions abroad, citing the distinguished presence of Jordanian talent and the praise that national expertise has received. He mentioned his recent participation in a media conference in Dubai, where he saw firsthand how highly Jordanian media professionals are regarded. This is a reminder that Jordan’s influence in the media world extends far beyond its borders. The skills, integrity, and creativity of Jordanian journalists and communicators are recognized and respected internationally. For young people in the audience, this was a hopeful message. It showed that the path from a local newsroom or a university media program to a global career is real and achievable. It also reinforced the idea that the values of responsibility, verification, and ethical engagement that Momani was talking about are not just abstract ideals. They are qualities that can open doors and build reputations. He closed this part of his speech by commending the Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists and the organizers of the forum. He highlighted the importance of the sessions and discussions that were about to take place, particularly those focused on the role of young people in shaping the future of media and strengthening their participation in the digital space. By bringing together different generations and perspectives, the forum itself was an example of the kind of collaboration that the media landscape needs.
The forum also featured a different but complementary voice in Nidal Mansour, the director of the CDFJ. Mansour offered a deeper look at how the media environment is changing, not just in terms of technology but in the very way people think about and interact with media messages. He talked about the differences between generations, how older audiences tend to consume media in more traditional ways, while younger audiences navigate a fragmented, algorithm-driven world where content is personalized and often emotionally charged. Algorithms and modern technology have transformed not only how we receive information but also how we perceive reality. What appears in our feeds is no longer a neutral reflection of the world; it is shaped by complex systems designed to capture our attention. Mansour emphasized that in this environment, the wisdom of experience and the energy of youth need to come together. He called for an exchange of expertise across generations, combining the accumulated knowledge of veteran media professionals with the fresh skills and technological fluency of young people. This is especially important when it comes to artificial intelligence, which is rapidly becoming a powerful tool in media creation and distribution. Young people who have grown up with these technologies have a natural advantage, but they can still learn a great deal from the ethical standards and professional practices of those who came before them. Mansour’s message was not about choosing one generation over another. It was about building bridges, so that the strengths of each can complement the other in the fight for accurate, trustworthy information.
Mansour also issued a stark warning about the rapid spread of misinformation across digital platforms, pointing to a phenomenon known as “rage bait.” This type of content is deliberately designed to provoke strong emotional reactions, especially anger, and it tends to attract massive engagement, particularly among young people. The more people react, the more the algorithms amplify the content, creating a vicious cycle that rewards outrage over accuracy. Mansour argued that this makes media literacy more important than ever, not just for journalists but for young people and content creators who are often on the front lines of the digital information war. He called for greater awareness and a stronger sense of responsibility in handling information, urging everyone involved in content creation to think about the consequences of what they post. The Media and Youth Forum itself was designed to address these issues head-on. Its panel discussions explored the current state and future of youth in digital media, the changing patterns of digital platform use, Jordanian experiences in content creation and social influence, and the future skills that journalists and young content creators will need to thrive. It was a space for honest conversation about the challenges facing the media sector amid rapid technological advances, but also for hope and collaboration. The message that emerged from both Momani and Mansour was ultimately one of empowerment: young people are not victims of the digital age, nor are they simply problems to be managed. They are active agents of change, capable of shaping the future of media for the better. But to do that, they must embrace the responsibilities that come with their power. They must verify, question, and think critically. They must use their creativity and energy to build a digital world that is truthful, respectful, and genuinely free. The forum in Amman was a small but significant step in that direction, a meeting of minds and generations committed to ensuring that the media of the future is something to be proud of.