- Momani: Jordan Continues to Support Joint Arab Media Cooperation and Expertise Exchange - Momani: Palestinian Cause Remains a Top Priority for Joint Arab Media Action - Momani: Stronger Arab Media Cooperation and Capacity Building Essential to Address Digital Transformation and Current Challenges Cairo, Nov. 4 (Petra) -- Minister of Government Communication and Government Spokesperson Mohammad Momani on Wednesday called for treating the media as a strategic sector closely linked to national sovereignty, emphasizing its role in strengthening countries' media presence, safeguarding public awareness and protecting citizens against disinformation and manipulated content.
Addressing the 56th ordinary session of the Council of Arab Information Ministers at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo, Momani stressed the need for stronger Arab media cooperation and coordination to address regional challenges.
Heading the Jordanian delegation, Momani reaffirmed the Kingdom's commitment to strengthening Arab cooperation, particularly amid exceptional regional circumstances that require coordinated efforts and unified positions.
He said the region faces complex political, security and humanitarian challenges alongside rapid transformations in the global and Arab media landscape driven by communication technologies and artificial intelligence (AI). These developments, he noted, have raised concerns over the accuracy and credibility of information, as well as attempts to manipulate facts and influence public opinion.
Momani emphasized that the Palestinian cause remains at the forefront of joint Arab priorities, calling for sustained collective efforts to defend Palestinian rights, communicate the suffering of the Palestinian people to the international community and counter attempts to distort or suppress facts.
He highlighted the responsibility of Arab media outlets to document the humanitarian tragedy in the Gaza Strip, expose violations and illegal unilateral measures in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and protect the Palestinian narrative against disinformation and falsification.
Momani reaffirmed Jordan's unwavering position, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, in supporting the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967, lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the two-state solution and relevant international resolutions.
He also reiterated Jordan's historic role in safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem under the Hashemite Custodianship.
Momani called for developing coordinated Arab media action plans, aligning messages and positions, and strengthening the international presence of the Arab narrative to support political and diplomatic efforts concerning Palestine.
Turning to AI and digital media, he stressed the importance of modernizing Arab media institutions, building their technological capabilities and taking advantage of emerging technologies while addressing threats to information credibility and content reliability. He also emphasized the need to strengthen media literacy and help communities distinguish verified information from disinformation.
Momani said Jordan has incorporated modern technologies and AI into efforts to develop its government communication system, improving communication with citizens and media outlets and ensuring faster, clearer and more credible access to official information.
He reaffirmed Jordan's readiness to share its expertise and experience with Arab countries through the Ministry of Government Communication and the Kingdom's Permanent Mission to the Arab League, as well as through active participation in the council's committees and working groups.
He urged Arab countries to move beyond exchanging expertise toward establishing practical partnerships and joint initiatives that strengthen media institutions, expand the reach of Arabic-language content and support sustainable development and digital transformation.
Momani expressed hope that the council's current session would produce actionable decisions and recommendations to build a more influential Arab media system capable of defending shared interests and communicating Arab perspectives effectively to international audiences.
During his address, Momani congratulated Somalia's Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Abdifatah Qasim Mohamud on his country's assumption of the council's presidency.
He also commended Syria's efforts during its presidency of the previous session, as well as the work of the Arab League General Secretariat, its Media and Communication Sector and the council's technical secretariat.
Ahead of the ministerial session, Momani participated in a meeting of the council's Executive Bureau, which reviewed agenda items, discussed ways to strengthen joint Arab media cooperation and coordination, and followed up on the implementation of relevant decisions and recommendations.
//Petra// AJ
