Amman – Participants in the seminar entitled "Rumors and their Impact on Jordan’s Economy” stressed that a prompt disclosure of information and an open channel with media outlets must exist in order to defy rumors and their spread – as their negative impact affect various sectors and groups of society, especially in fields of economy and finance.
Organized by and held at Jordan Media Institute (JMI), the seminar was moderated by Ahmed Naimat, Director of the Media Response Unit at the National Center for Security and Crisis Management, and by Musa Al-Saket, Deputy Chairman of the Amman Chamber of Industry, and by expert and economic analyst Hussam Ayesh.
The seminar discussed how the technological development and the means of social media contribute to the fast spread of rumors. In dealing with rumors, official statements come in response to these rumors, while governments continue to withhold information rather than initiate its release, the seminar added.
On the sources of rumors in Jordan, Naimat explained that "in the absence of clear and updated facts, systematic rumors appear at specific times of the year. There is also the economic interest of some parties, as well as the general feeling of fear and mistrust."
Naimat said that relying on social networking sites as a news source has reached more than 56% which is “a high percentage as these sites contain inaccurate news and rumors,” adding that “the government and its sectors along with the official and non-official media outlets in the private sector have to provide clear and coherent information and act as a united entity in protecting the status of what is considered as an issue of public interest and concern.”
As rumors have a very negative impact on the Jordanian economy, Al-Saket stressed on the need of addressing a solution by boosting the trust between the government and the public, increasing the awareness and culture in society, providing accurate and clear information, and by empowering public spokespersons with their media tools.
Al-Saket said that “the negative affect that results from the spread of rumors leaves society with a damaging mood and destroys its creativity, especially within youth.” It also causes Jordanian and non-Jordanian investors to have second thoughts, he added.
For his part, economic expert Hussam Ayesh explained that the “uncertainty in the governmental decisions help the spread of rumors," noting that the government deals with rumors as a "reaction". Ayesh added that "we have to distinguish between prevention and response, as well as between clarification and interpretation.” He also added that we should not wait until a rumor requires response, instead we must publish real information to reduce rumors and change the government’s ways when dealing with rumors and when disclosing information.
The discussion between the audience and the participants focused on trying to define rumors and their characteristics, social networking networks, cybercrime law, media literacy in schools and universities, and on building the trust between the government and the public.
The symposium comes as part of the “Enhancing Social Understanding of Jordan’s Economy through Responsible Journalism & Effective storytelling" project.