Amman, Sept 21 (Petra) -- A seminar titled "Strategy to Counter Targeted Disinformation Against Jordan via Social Media" was held on Monday at the Department of the National Library to build public awareness and develop mechanisms for verifying news and countering online misinformation.

The event was organized in collaboration with the Amman Institute for Modernization and Political Studies. Former Interior Minister Hussein Hazza Majali and retired Major General Azzam Al-Rawahneh served as keynote speakers, with former Minister Amin Mashaqbeh moderating the session. The seminar was attended by National Library Director General Firas Al-Darabeh alongside government officials, retired military officers, media representatives, and researchers.

Majali said regional crises surrounding Jordan create fertile ground for targeted disinformation campaigns that utilize false narratives, fake accounts, recycled archival videos, and deepfake artificial intelligence technology to manipulate public sentiment.

"The most dangerous form of disinformation is that which is deliberate, programmed, and systematic," Majali noted, emphasizing that citizens act as the primary line of defense. He called for a comprehensive national framework to educate the public on state mechanics, fill information vacuums, and deliver rapid official responses before false narratives gain traction.

Majali stressed that political stability relies on cultivating informed citizens who understand national principles, noting that families, schools, mosques, churches, and digital content creators all share the responsibility of exposing covert disinformation networks.

Al-Rawahneh said media manipulation is an age-old phenomenon whose methods have evolved through modern digital tools. He argued that countering fake news directly touches upon national security and social cohesion.

Recalling the historical role of literature, arts, schools, and religious institutions in forging Jordan's national identity, Al-Rawahneh stressed the need to analyze the sources, funding, and geopolitical motives behind coordinated campaigns aimed at undermining state sovereignty and institutional trust.

Participants concluded that rapid developments in generative AI and deepfake technology require Jordan to shift from reactive media policies to proactive strategies centered on media literacy, real-time digital monitoring, and public transparency.

//Petra// AF