Amman - November 17, 2025

Nearly 300 journalists, media practitioners, and experts from across the Arab world gathered in Amman this week for a two-day conference titled“Community Media in the Digital Age,” held under the patronage and presence of Jordan's Minister of Government Communication and Official Government Spokesperson, Mohammad Al Momani.

The conference, organized by Community Media Network, on November 15–16, examined the evolving role of community media amid accelerating digital transformation, highlighting the need for independence, citizen engagement, and financial sustainability.

In his keynote address, Dr. Al Momani underscored the government's commitment to fostering an enabling media environment.“We want critical media that seeks the truth, avoiding the propagation of negativity,” he said, noting that the digital era requires“a radical shift from traditional to highly interactive content.”

He added that community media today serves as a trusted bridge between the state and society. It“deepens open dialogue, especially on development and rights issues,” he noted, emphasizing that the government's approach has become“enabling, not restrictive,” and aims to balance freedom, responsibility, digital openness, and the protection of the public interest.

Community Media as a Platform for Youth and Development

A central theme of the conference was the role of community media in empowering youth and strengthening national resilience. Participants stressed the importance of media literacy programs, capacity-building initiatives, and supporting young people as emerging opinion-makers.

The sessions also explored the future of community radio in sustainable development, the challenges of the digital shift, citizen journalism, and content innovation. Jordanian community radio stations held a dedicated session that addressed media independence, digital diversity, audience participation, and the critical need for financial and administrative sustainability.

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Participants expressed strong solidarity with Palestinian journalists-particularly those in the Gaza Strip-calling for accountability for attacks on media workers and an end to impunity for violations committed against them.

Key Recommendations

The final communique adopted a package of recommendations aimed at strengthening the sector. They included:

• Creating an enabling legal environment for community media
• Exempting community stations from fees and licensing costs
• Supporting decentralized media across governorates
• Reforming cybercrime legislation
• Ensuring the integrity and independence of media in the age of AI
• Reserving part of the radio and digital spectrum for community media
• Establishing a regional fund for community media
• Encouraging the creation of a Middle East and North Africa Community Media Alliance

The communique emphasized that community media is a catalyst for sustainable development, transparent governance, and active citizenship, and represents a model for integrating government communication with community-driven platforms to advance the public interest.

Below is the full text of the Final Statement of the Conference:

“Community Media in the Digital Age”
November 15–16, Amman, Jordan

The Jordanian capital, Amman, hosted a two-day conference titled“Community Media in the Digital Age” on November 15 and 16, bringing together nearly 300 journalists from across the Arab world, along with regional and international experts. The event was held under patronage and in the presence of the Minister of Government Communication and Official Government Spokesperson, Dr. Mohammad Al Momani.

The conference explored the meaning and significance of community-owned media, operating independently from official and commercial pressures. Journalist Daoud Kuttab of the AmmanNet Radio Foundation presented the pioneering experience of the Arab world's first online radio station, established in 2000 and later transitioned to FM broadcasting in 2005.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Al Momani emphasized that the conference provides a vital platform for dialogue on the role of community media in enhancing citizen engagement, empowering youth, and fostering a culture of openness and constructive dialogue. He highlighted its role in countering misinformation and hate speech in today's digital environment.

“We want critical media that seeks the truth, avoiding the propagation of negativity,” stated the Minister, stressing that the digital era requires a fundamental shift from traditional to highly interactive content, making the transition to digital platforms an urgent necessity.

He further noted that community media has become a trusted platform that bridges the state and society, deepening open dialogues especially on development and rights issues. He affirmed that the government's approach is increasingly enabling rather than restrictive, committed to providing an environment that balances freedom, responsibility, digital openness, and the protection of public interest.

Focus on Youth and Sustainability

The conference affirmed the essential role of community media in empowering youth as emerging opinion-makers through media training programs and national initiatives that promote media and information literacy. This is crucial for building a national consciousness grounded in tolerance, diversity, and active citizenship, while also countering disinformation and hate speech.

Participants examined the future of community media in the digital era, the contribution of community radio to sustainable development, and the role of youth empowerment. A dedicated session for Jordanian community radio stations focused on:

• Protecting media independence
• Innovation and diversity in digital content
• Citizen journalism and civic participation
• Balancing digital opportunities with societal protection
• Ensuring financial and administrative sustainability

Solidarity with Palestinian Journalists

The participants expressed solidarity with journalists in Palestine, particularly those in the Gaza Strip. They called for accountability for the Israeli occupation's violations against journalists and demanded an end to impunity.

Recommendations

The conference concluded with the adoption of the following recommendations:

The participants reaffirmed that community media is a catalyst for sustainable development, a tool for enhancing transparency and active citizenship, and a leading model for Jordan in integrating government communication with community-based media to serve citizens and advance the public interest.

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