On November 15, 2000, the spark of the first Arab experiment in community and digital media was ignited in the heart of Jordan's capital, Amman, with the launch of Amman Net-the first online radio station broadcasting its programs over the Internet, at a time when digital media had yet to find its way in the region.

At that time, Amman Net was a bold idea that went beyond the conventional; it did not merely broadcast news but offered a comprehensive radio experience with text, audio, and video through its website, , becoming the first Jordanian and Arab platform to provide interactive, multimedia content online. As its audience expanded both inside Jordan and abroad, it became one of the country's most prominent sources of information and journalistic engagement, laying the foundation for an unprecedented independent and community-oriented media experience in the region.

On July 2, 2005, Amman Net entered a new stage of development when it began broadcasting on 92.4 FM in Greater Amman, following a government decision permitting the establishment of private radio stations in the kingdom. A few months later, its news programs were officially licensed in September of the same year, before the frequency was later changed to 92.5 FM.

At the beginning of 2008, the station's name was changed to Radio Al-Balad, inspired by the spirit of“Downtown Amman,” where everyday stories of people converge and cultures intertwine. Meanwhile, Amman Net retained its name as the identity of the online news portal.

Since its inception, the Community Media Network-which includes Amman Net and Radio Al-Balad-has adhered to clear principles: truthfulness, independence, and fairness. Its founders understood that the trust of the public is the true capital of any media outlet and that journalism is not merely a profession but a moral and human responsibility.

Truth has been its compass in every story, and fairness its measure in every issue. It resisted political or economic pressures and rejected any conflicts of interest that could compromise its content, placing its audience at the center of accountability and self-assessment.

Radio Al-Balad was never just a station that relayed news; it became a public space reflecting the diversity of Jordanian society through its voices, dialects, and daily concerns. More than 85% of its content focused on local affairs-from the neighborhoods of the capital to distant villages, from ordinary people's stories to major discussions on freedoms, human rights, and development.

From the outset, the station carefully curated its music-introducing fresh voices that reflect the spirit of the place, far from commercial vulgarity, and embracing values of dialogue and tolerance while rejecting all forms of hate speech.

Amid the massive digital transformations of the past two decades, Amman Net and Radio Al-Balad successfully adapted to the times without losing their community essence.

As of early 2025, Jordan counts more than 10.7 million Internet users, with a penetration rate of 92.5%, and sees growing activity on social platforms: 6.45 million YouTube users, 5.45 million Facebook users, 4.05 million Instagram users, and 2 million LinkedIn users.

In this fast-paced digital environment, the Community Media Network has expanded its tools to reach audiences through videos, podcasts, live broadcasts, and interactive articles, while maintaining its human-centered essence: to be the voice of the community, the voice of the people and the country.

Today, after twenty-five years of leadership and innovation, Amman Net and Radio Al-Balad continue their journey as platforms for independent and responsible media, embodying the vision that media does not merely report news-it makes a difference in people's lives.

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