Akeed – Aya Khawaldeh

The number of rumors rose to 50 in October, remarkably higher than the average for the last three months which stood at 44 rumors, Akeed’s monthly report showed. The number of rumors in September stood at 48, rising from 42 rumors in August and 43 in July. The July-September figures are also considered high compared to the 36 rumors detected in June and 35 rumors in May.

Additionally, the number of rumors in October 2019 was nearly double what it was in October 2018. Of the 26 rumors circulated during October 2018, 38% revolved around the deadly “Dead Sea School Trip”.

Media outlets circulated 12 rumors (24% of the total) in October this year against 8 rumors in September, 18 in August and 12 rumors in July.

Over half of the rumors in October revolved around political issues, totaling 28 rumors. A similar finding was reported in September when political rumors made up half of the 48 rumors circulated during that month. The spike is chiefly attributed to speculation about ministers, ministries, government institutions, and government policies.

Rumor Sources 

Akeed’s quantitative and qualitative analysis examined rumors circulated across news websites social, as well mainstream media. It emerged that the vast majority of rumors (48 representing 96% of the total) came from local sources. Only two rumors, representing 4%, came from outside Jordan.

Dissemination Medium

October figures reveal that 38 rumors, representing 76% of the total, came from social networking sites - all of which originated from local social platforms. No rumors were detected in Arab social networks or posted in pages run by Jordanian expatriates, Akeed noted.

Twelve rumors spread through mainstream media during the month in question, ten of which initially appeared in local media outlets and two spread through Hebrew and foreign media outlets.

Rumor Topics

Unsubstantiated reports around political issues accounted for more than half of the rumors in October - totaling 28 rumors. Social and economic issues had an equal share of rumors, each claiming 20% of the total. Rumors about security issues landed in last place, with only four rumors representing 4%.

From “Social Networks” to Media Outlets

Five rumors, or 10%, spread from social networking platforms to news websites in October which is close to the September figures when six rumors representing 12.5% found their way to news websites.

Key rumors that spread from social media to mainstream media:

• A report claiming that a secretary working for Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) earns a monthly salary of JD3,600. The item, which initially appeared on facebook pages run by Jordanians, was rejected by GAM as inaccurate.
• News reports which claimed that hospitals in the Northern part of the Kingdom were still dispensing a drug that contains the carcinogen Ranitidine without a prescription. The drug was still being dispensed despite instructions issued by relevant authorities to seize any local drug that contains the substance, continued the report. Both the Ministry of Health and the management of the concerned hospitals denied the news.
• Unverified information alleging that Prime Minister Omar Razzaz has submitted his resignation and will be replaced by former premier Abdul Ra’ouf Al-Rawabdeh. The news was dismissed as groundless, and was subsequently removed.
• Unsubstantiated claims that the government plans to privatize the health sector and to suspend all health service exemptions - which were quickly refuted by the authorities.

Key Issues and Rumors:

Rumors around Economic Issues:

• A news story which claimed that consumers will have to pay an additional fee for supplies as part of their electricity bill. The same report showed an electricity bill where the item was included. The authorities dispelled the news. They explained that a power supply cable, which is connected to the house for which the bill was issued, had been tampered with and had to be replaced. The consumer should bear the cost of the new cable, which is why the extra fee appeared on this particular bill, according to Irbid District Electricity Company.
• A report shared by news websites on plans by the Palestinian National Authority to import olive from Jordan to meet demand for irrigated olive. The Ministry of Agriculture explained that olive will not be exported this year in efforts to protect local production.
• Inaccurate news circulated on social media about a host of government decisions to lower tax rates and customs duties. The measures, claimed the report, were part of a package to stimulate the economy and boost investments. In statements to the media, the government explained that the growth-enhancing measures target the real estate market and the housing sector and include incentives for investors.

Political Rumors

• Unsubstantiated reports about the salaries of the heads of Mafraq Development Corporation and the Social Security Corporation which stand at JD19,000 and JD21,000, respectively, according to reports. The claims, which were made by an MP, were swiftly dismissed as groundless.
• News posted by Hebrew media alleging that Jordan agreed to Israel’s request to extend the lease of Al-Baqoura and Ghamr border areas for another year. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates rejected the news, saying the lease arrangement, under which Israel rented the areas for 25 years, will expire on November 10^th.
• Plans to privatize the health and education sectors was the subject of another rumor in October. Premier Omar Razzaz and the Minister of Health have both denied the news, stressing that there are no plans to stop health service exemptions nor to restructure the health insurance system.

Social Rumors:

• A widely-circulated report on social media which said that a mild tornado will hit Jordan and Palestine. Akeed proved the news to be false, as the head of the Jordan Metrological Department Hussein Momani clarified that Jordan will only be affected by a moderate cold front.
• Incorrect reports saying several Jordanian universities will admit students returning from Sudan and will offer them discounts. The administration of these universities denied taking such decisions.
• Misleading reports circulated by foreign media which said that asbestos was found in baby powder manufactured by an American multinational corporation. The Jordanian Food and Drug Administration explained that the US authorities found traces of the hazardous substance in baby powder bottle sold on the internet. Samples of baby powder produced by the same corporation and sold in the Jordanian market were tested, which showed that talc sold locally was free of the substance.

Security Rumors

• Two rumors that spread on social media which showed a video clip purportedly of two children who were killed and their organs stolen in east of Amman. Security sources denied the story, saying no such crime was reported in Jordan.