Khaberni - The twentieth conference of Arab women in media began in Amman on Sunday, under the theme "The Arab Woman in Media in the Age of Digital Transformation... Between Freedom of Speech and Algorithms of Oppression," under the patronage of Her Highness Princess Basma bint Talal Al-Majesty, Honorary President of the Arab Women Media Center.
Her Highness Princess Basma bint Talal emphasized in her speech the importance of empowering women in media to face the new digital challenges and maintaining freedom of expression amid rapid technological evolvement.
Communications Minister Mohammed Al-Momani said on Sunday that the Arab woman has been and still is present in the heart of the media scene, leading, innovating, and defending the values of freedom, justice, and society.
He added, at the opening of the twentieth conference of Arab women in media, that women today add a new dimension to their professional career represented by digital skills, which amplifies their impact and tests their ability to adapt to a fast-paced, changing environment,
He mentioned that the twentieth session of the Arab Women Media Conference forms a unique space for dialogue about the reality and future of Arab media, in an era where technical and digital challenges intersect with the noble mission of media in seeking the truth, and where freedom of speech competes with algorithmic challenges.
Al-Momani added that His Majesty King Abdullah II has always emphasized that free and responsible media is a pillar of reform and democracy, and that truthful speech is the shield of society against rumors and misinformation.
He pointed out that the digital transformation we are experiencing today is not just a technical leap that brings a lot of good to societies, but it also harbors an ethical and cultural challenge that requires a new awareness of communication tools and their risks, and the capacity of humans to remain the focal point, not the algorithm.
"What distinguishes this conference is that it poses an essential question in the era of digitization: Do platform algorithms still serve free speech, or have they become a soft weapon in the hands of data owners who may master misinformation?" according to Al-Momani.
He noted that "in the Ministry of Government Communication, we believe in the future of digital transformation, and thus we must benefit from it and manage it with wisdom and responsibility. We are working on developing legislative and media frameworks that ensure freedom of expression, protect privacy, confront misinformation, and create a balanced digital space that respects the word and preserves the truth".
He said, "What brings us together today is not only the passion and conviction for media freedom and about the distinguished status of the Arab woman in media, but also the necessity to establish a culture of responsibility entrusted to the media professionals and their duty to protect their societies from misinformation and falsehood, enhancing trust between the citizen and the media, and rebuilding bridges between the audience and the media message creators."
Al-Momani added that "the role of the Arab woman in media in this context is pivotal, as she is capable of presenting a leading model in professionalism, balance, creativity, and adhering to humanitarian values".
Representatives from the European Union mission in Jordan, the German Corporation for International Cooperation "GIZ", and the United Nations Development Programme "UNDP", along with a select group of women in media and experts from various Arab countries, are participating in the conference.
The conference explores several themes in its sessions, including freedom of expression in the digital age, artificial intelligence, and the future of digital media, with the participation of leading Arab women in media from the region,
