Akeed records 106 rumours in November

AMMAN — The Jordanian Media Credibility Monitor (Akeed) documented 106 rumours circulating in November across local and international media outlets and social media platforms.

The findings, revealed in Akeed’s monthly report, underscore the prevalence of misinformation and its dominant sources, where the report noted that 15 rumours were officially denied in November, marking a slight decrease from the 20 rumours denied in October, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Political rumours topped the list, followed by social, security, and economic rumours. 

Political rumours accounted for 14 incidents, representing 13 per cent of the total. Social rumours ranked second, while economic and public affairs rumours accounted for 8 per cent and 3 per cent, respectively. The health sector recorded only one rumour, at 1 per cent.

Akeed highlighted that internal sources, including social media and local news websites, generated 71 rumours, constituting 67 per cent of the total. External sources contributed 35 rumours, or 33 per cent.

Social media emerged as the primary channel, responsible for 99 rumours (93 per cent), while media outlets generated seven rumours (7 per cent).

To combat misinformation, Akeed stressed the importance of verification, where it developed a set of principles encouraging users to question the credibility of content before sharing it, particularly in sensitive contexts.

The monitor also pointed out that rumours are not confined to crises or abnormal circumstances, such as wars and natural disasters. They can also thrive in routine conditions, requiring constant vigilance to mitigate their impact.