At the invitation of the *Community Media Network (Radio Al-Balad and AmmanNet), participants met on Monday and Tuesday under the patronage of the Minister of Government Communications. The conference, titled *"Independence and Professionalism of Media... A Strong Society," saw extensive attendance from journalists and experts concerned with the development and efficiency of independent media in strengthening and supporting local communities.
Discussions addressed the pressing concerns of journalists and local communities in light of the digital revolution, the widespread expansion of social media, and the multiplicity of media outlets. Simultaneously, the sessions tackled the alarming rise of fake news and rumors on platforms that disseminate hate speech, encourage intellectual and political extremism, and undermine national cohesion.
The second day was dedicated to a practical workshop for professionals, particularly those in radio and television broadcasting, focusing on the impact of the digital revolution and Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the newsroom.
The conference also provided a platform for networking among media broadcasting professionals from community and independent radio stations. Two sessions were held to draft recommendations and announcements regarding the formation of a *National Alliance for Local Radio Stations* and a *Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Alliance for Community Radio, under the umbrella of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC*).
Participants in both workshops reached a consensus on the necessity of forming national and regional alliances and proposed the following recommendations:
Improving legislative frameworks* to recognize the legitimacy and unique nature of community broadcasting.
Creating licensing mechanisms* for community broadcasting institutions, including independent local radio and television stations.
Providing space for responsible freedom of expression* in media broadcasting.
Encouraging the establishment of local broadcasting institutions* independent of official government bodies to serve local communities.
Abolishing or reducing fees* for non-profit local community radio stations so that annual costs do not become a financial burden.
Enhancing administrative and technical cooperation*, producing joint programming, and exchanging expertise and content.
Supporting community broadcasting* by providing paid advertisements and public service announcements (PSAs).
Encouraging the formation of national and regional alliances* to defend the rights of their members and facilitate the exchange of programs and accumulated expertise.
Urging civil society organizations* to collaborate with and benefit from the opportunity to communicate with local communities.
Urging the private sector* to utilize community broadcasting institutions by allocating support through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, either via direct donations or by sponsoring developmental programs.