How Did Jordanians Change the Equation of Media Defense for the Homeland?

Ammon

15-05-2025

In an unprecedented scene, Jordan has witnessed a remarkable transformation over the past few years in the way Jordanians respond to organized and systematic smear campaigns targeting the nation and its steadfast positions, particularly on central issues such as Palestine and national unity. What used to be met with silence and apathy just a few years ago is now confronted with a sophisticated digital public awareness worthy of a country known for being at the forefront of authenticity and righteousness.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, defending Jordan in the digital space was primarily the task of certain officials and a handful of writers and journalists, while the majority viewed anyone who responded to rumors or debunked fabrications affecting Jordan with ridicule. At that time, any official statement was met with skepticism based on the notion that 'denying a denial affirms the claim.' But what has changed today? What has made the average Jordanian an unofficial spokesperson for their homeland, defending it with fierceness and dignity—as we saw in the public responses to a smear campaign led by a British website run by individuals affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood?
The shift began with the unraveling of the so-called 'external opposition'—a group that promoted itself on social media using a dangerously theatrical approach, presenting rumors as 'intelligence' and exploiting people's thirst for information in chaotic times. This opposition, which carried little more than slander and doubt in its arsenal, revealed its true face when it sought to bargain with the state for personal gains. Eventually, their motives were exposed, the curtain lifted on their political farce, and they began discrediting one another. The myth of the 'trusted source' crumbled into nothingness, leaving only scandalous names in the collective memory.
Surprisingly, it was sports—specifically football—that sparked the wave of popular defense of Jordan. In a country passionate about sports and deeply attached to its clubs and national team, the unfair loss in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup final against Qatar, and the public sense of injustice due to the referee's bias, ignited a noble anger. Jordanians weren't just defending the result, but their national dignity, which had been mocked by certain factions known for their sectarian loyalties—especially following Iraq's loss to Jordan in the same tournament, which some tried to exploit to tarnish Jordan's reputation. Jordanians—whether from Ma'an or Zarqa, Al-Wehdat or Al-Faisaly—rallied around their national team. They found themselves united not just in defense of a game, but of Jordanian identity, history, and honorable positions that require not marketing, but appreciation and protection.
Today, Jordan no longer stands alone in the face of smear campaigns. A new generation of Jordanians has emerged in the digital sphere—conscious, dignified, and capable of resolute confrontation. Official media outlets are no longer the only players on the scene; personal social media accounts of Jordanians have become the first line of defense for the nation. Every loyal and committed citizen, from across Jordan's geography, has become a spokesperson, a political defender, and an aware analyst—not swayed by sensationalism nor deceived by false emotions.
The Jordanian today will not tolerate insults to the army that carries Gaza's burdens on its shoulders, nor accept doubt cast on the leadership that has consistently stood by Palestine without seeking praise or political leverage. These stances—etched by both official and popular Jordan—remain a rock upon which all smear attempts crash, regardless of the tools or platforms used.
We are now witnessing a new national scene—bold and powerful—with the headline: 'Do not remain silent in the face of falsehood.' It is a Jordanian digital voice that fears no one and is unashamed to confront any who dare harm Jordan, its leadership, or its institutions. Jordanians no longer wait for an official statement to respond to a rumor; they are the response, the denial, and the stance.
In a world where the battle is over narrative rather than truth, Jordanians have become the narrators of their own story. They do not allow it to be written elsewhere, nor do they let the malicious dictate its chapters. Jordanians have firmly established the belief that the image of the homeland cannot afford hesitation, that its dignity is non-negotiable, and that defending it is a duty, not a favor.
In the era of 'platforms' and 'trends,' Jordanians have crafted their own powerful voice—unshaken by rumors and undeceived by suspicious clippings. It is a new digital generation, transcending regions and dialects, united in love for Jordan and unwavering in defense of its causes. And thus... Jordan today rests in safe hands—hands that guard not only its borders, but its image as well.