Amman, Jan 19 (Petra) – Experts in law and digital media said on Monday that a recent cabinet decision to finalize legislation regulating the media sector's modernization aims to streamline professional digital media work and ensure transparency and fairness without infringing on freedom of expression.

It lays out a legislative framework governing media and advertising in the digital space that serves the public interest and stakeholders as it draws a line between professional and unprofessional media, and non-professional publishing, and protects digital media from hate speech and misinformation, they said in interviews with Petra.

Regulation contributes to professionalizing and regulating digital media, providing opportunities for sound development, protecting investment in the sector, regulating the use of AI applications, and ensuring ethics in the media content, they pointed out.

Furthermore, the legislation safeguards public rights and enhances the protection of intellectual property rights in the media business, they added.

"The draft legislation is a positive step towards establishing a legislative framework for the professional digital environment and addressing rumors, fake news, hate speech, and privacy violations," commented Dr. Mahmoud Al-Rajabi, Associate Professor of Digital Media at Middle East University.

"Its success hinges on precise definitions and clear boundaries of jurisdiction to prevent overreach at the expense of freedoms, as well as effective implementation," he added.

Al-Rajabi proposed that licensing be restricted to professional media work, excluding personal activities, and ensure that accreditation is based on a genuine quality assessment.

"Introducing a system to regulate digital media is a positive step to control the market, and that regulation is essential, given the numerous commercial, advertising, artistic, and other content platforms," said lawyer Sakher Khasawneh.

The regulation involves ensuring content does not violate laws, infringe on privacy, violate copyright, incite hatred, or violate social norms, an aspect already addressed in the Cybercrime Law, he pointed out.

He said regulations aim to document and monitor pages and platforms, including revenue and funding sources, adding that regulating artificial intelligence is a significant step in the process as it lays the foundation for setting ethical and legal guidelines for its use.

The Jordan Media Commission posted information on its website about the regulations, indicating that a license is required for everyone who practices an activity currently licensed by it in the various media fields when practicing it digitally and professionally.

An activity is considered professional if it is taken as a profession or source of income, and is continuous or regular, provided that a specialized committee reviews the applications and decides on eligibility for a license or accreditation, it stipulates.

//Petra//SS


19/01/2026 19:12:56