Amid the accelerating pace of events both locally and regionally, Jordan is periodically subjected to waves of public agitation, sparked by misleading narratives that aim to create crises — often through social media and other platforms. These campaigns may sometimes stem from individual actions, while at other times they appear to be part of coordinated schemes designed to destabilize the internal front, undermine trust in official institutions, or stir sedition and divisiveness.
اضافة اعلان
The widespread, unhealthy debate in the digital space has been exploited to regenerate hate speech, attack the state's authority, distort the image of institutions, and steer public discourse toward trivial conflicts — diverting attention from the fundamental and enduring issue: the Palestinian cause.
What stands out is the repeated use of racist, regionalist, and sectarian rhetoric — in a calculated and deliberate manner — aimed at fracturing the social fabric and planting seeds of doubt among the tightly knit components of Jordanian society. It is no secret that such discourse is often orchestrated from dark rooms, whether domestic or foreign, seeking to spread chaos through a digital world that has become an open stage for rumor-mongering and manipulating public opinion toward fabricated issues.
In recent days, these divisive tactics have been joined by a revival of past crises, stoking public sentiment and fueling a storm of controversy — as seen with the proposed new building tax law. This, like other issues, seems designed to provoke the public in a blatant manner, evoking the memory of the 2018 protests that led to the fall of the Mulki government over the income tax law. It's as if there are forces working to replay that scenario during a particularly sensitive time, attempting to transform economic pressures into uncalculated protests or pushing the public to adopt reactive positions rather than engaging in a deep understanding of the complex reality.
The more serious threat, however, lies in the underhanded campaigns targeting some official institutions — directly or indirectly — through the spread of rumors and leaks aimed at casting doubt on their competence, integrity, loyalty, or patriotism.
In my personal opinion, given all the political and economic challenges we currently face, it has become critical to revisit how we reinforce our internal front. More than ever, we need honest and responsible national dialogues that rebuild trust between citizens and the state, and put an end to the systematic campaigns of incitement and suspicion that are being spread through social media and other outlets.
That’s why I believe that public awareness is our first line of defense. We must strive to elevate both political and social awareness, and strengthen the role of honest, professional media — media that can simplify and explain issues responsibly, and confront them rather than just report on them. At the same time, regulating social media platforms has become essential — but without infringing on freedom of expression — ensuring that these platforms do not become fertile ground for rumors and the spread of sedition.
This confrontation is not merely a security issue — it is a battle for existence. And if we fail to recognize the gravity of what's happening today, we may pay a much heavier price in the future.
