Khaberni - Her Highness Princess Rima Ali, on Wednesday, sponsored the final regional conference of the project titled "Enhancing Mechanisms for Preventing and Responding to Hate Speech Online in Jordan," with participation of the government communication minister, the official government spokesperson, Mohammad Al-Momani, along with several international partners and concerned institutions.
Al-Momani asserted in his speech at the conference that confronting hate speech in digital space is no longer an option, but a priority that requires a comprehensive approach based on partnership and the use of modern tools that enhance community awareness and its ability to distinguish between responsible and misleading or inciting content.
He said that hate speech is no longer a marginal phenomenon that can be contained with traditional tools, but has become a complex challenge that requires new awareness and innovative tools, in the face of rapid changes in the digital world, emphasizing that words in this space are no longer simply an expression, but a system that forms, spreads, and reproduces itself.
He added that Jordan, under royal directives, continues to work on consolidating a responsible media discourse based on professionalism and objectivity, respecting diversity, and preserving human dignity, emphasizing the importance of enhancing media and information literacy as a fundamental pillar for building an aware society.
Al-Momani appreciated the outcomes of the project, including research efforts and the development of reference frameworks, which contribute to laying methodological foundations for dealing with hate speech in the digital environment, forming a qualitative addition to the national and regional discussion, and contributing to the development of related public policies.
He noted that handling hate speech requires achieving a precise balance between protecting freedom of expression guaranteed by the constitution, and addressing content that incites violence, discrimination, or exclusion, stressing the necessity of integrated roles among the government, media, social networking platforms, and civil society institutions.
He confirmed that the Ministry of Government Communication continues to support efforts to enhance a positive media environment, and develop awareness tools and capacity building, which contribute to reducing the spread of hate speech and promoting discourse of moderation and tolerance.
In turn, Pierre Christophe, the Ambassador of the European Union mission in Jordan, said, "In this project, we have highlighted the needs of ordinary people who use the Internet and understand its dimensions, and how to protect citizens from hate speech and negative practices in this area."
He emphasized that the goal is to address these challenges, provide decision-makers with the necessary information, and allow policymakers to define their own model for managing this process.
Project Director at the Strategic Dialogue Institute Saba Yassin said, "The digital space is no longer just a space for communication, but has become an arena where opinions are formed, narratives are built, divisions are often planted, and hate speech is fueled."
She indicated that with escalating tensions and rapidly unfolding events, harmful content can spread at an unprecedented rate, directly impacting social cohesion and individuals’ feelings of security and belonging.
Yassin explained that confronting hate speech is not the responsibility of one entity alone, and cannot be reduced to one action or intervention but is a shared responsibility requiring integration among public policies, media, civil society, the academic sector, and youth.
The discussion panel led by Iyad Al Jabr, founder of "I Dare" for Sustainable Development, presented national responses to online hate speech, focusing on institutional coordination, the regulatory approach and prevention models. Speakers included Ahmed Abu Ful, head of the Community Peace Center at Public Security Directorate, Dana Shaqum, Chief Executive of the Jordan Media Institute, Haya Al Awaisheh, Head of the Government Media Agenda Department at the Ministry of Communication, and Hussein Al Sraireh, Director of Programs at the Institute of Politics and Society.
The conference included facilitated working groups discussing various aspects of combating digital hate speech in Jordan and developing a set of related recommendations, in addition to a session on presenting the national framework for combating digital hate speech.
The organization of this regional conference involved the Strategic Dialogue Institute in Jordan, the "I Dare" Foundation for Sustainable Development, and Saba Hamlet, funded by the European Union, aiming to develop mechanisms for preventing and responding to hate speech online, through research, capacity building, and promoting cooperation among various stakeholders, given the growing challenges associated with digital content and its impacts on societal peace.
