Akeed – Aya Khawldeh   

The number of rumors continued to exhibit an upward trend, reaching 54 rumors in November, Akeed’s monthly statistical report showed.

This compares with 50 rumors in October, 48 rumors in September, 42 in August and 43 in July. In June and May, the number of rumors stood at 36 and 35 respectively.

The report also noted a rise in the number of rumors circulated by media outlets over the last three months; 19 rumors in November against 12 in October and 8 in September of total rumors in the three months.

Rumors surrounding social issues accounted for the biggest share of rumors in November, claiming 21 of the total, mainly fueled by increased speculation about agricultural products, drugs, health, and weather – among other issues.

 Rumor Sources 

Akeed’s quantitative and qualitative analysis examined rumors circulated across news sites, social as well mainstream media. It found that the vast majority of rumors (48 representing 88.9% of the total) came from local sources. Only six rumors, representing 11.1%, came from outside Jordan.

 Dissemination Medium

November figures unveiled that 35 rumors, representing 64.9% of the total, came from social networking forums, including 33 rumors that originated from local social platforms. Two rumors were detected in Israeli social networks and pages run by Jordanian expatriates, Akeed noted.

A total of 19 rumors spread through mainstream media during the month in question, 16 of which initially appeared in local media outlets and three posted by Hebrew and Arab media outlets.

Rumor Topics

Unsubstantiated reports around social issues accounted for nearly 40% of total rumors in November - totaling 21 rumors. Rumors revolving around political issues came in second place, accounting for 27.8% of the total, or 15 rumors. Rumors around the economy ranked third with a share of 22.2% or 12 rumors, and rumors about security issues landed in last place, with six rumors representing around 11%.

From “Social Networks” to Media Outlets

Six rumors, representing around 11% of total rumors in November, spread from social networking platforms to news sites - slightly higher than the previous month when five rumors found their way to news sites.

Key rumors that spread from social media to mainstream media:

• A report claiming that fishermen have recently caught a shark in Aqaba, with photos of the “caught shark”. The Royal Marine Conservation Society of Jordan explained that the photos were taken years ago.  
• A report attributed to the Jordan Food and Drug Administration which included a list of merchants involved in olive oil cheating and the quantities of seized olive oil. The news, which also alleged that legal measures were taken against offenders, was rejected as baseless by the Administration.
• Footage showing an infant being beaten by his mother allegedly in a government-run hospital in Jordan. The Ministry of Health denied the incident stressing that it did not take place at any public hospital in the Kingdom.

Key Issues and Rumors

Rumors around Economic Issues:

• The import of plastic gas cylinders, a rumor rejected by the Jordan Petroleum Refinery Company (JPRC) which stated that it has not issued any permit for the import and circulation of this type of cylinders. Only steel gas cylinders are used and filled with gas by the three stations owned by the JPRC, the company clarified. The claim was similarly refuted by Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization, which is responsible for ensuring that gas cylinders meet the required technical specifications before they enter the local market.
• Plans to reform the civil service compensation and benefits structure was the subject of another rumor – also rejected as old news by the Civil Service Bureau which said that the news dates back to 2011.
• Claims that the Social Security Corporation (SSC) called on employees who served between 1990 and 2019 to register through a hyperlink in order to receive JD1,499. The rumor as debunked by SSC spokesperson.

Political Rumors:

• An article recently posted by an Israeli newspaper alleging that a new and secret agreement was being drafted between the Jordanian and Israeli sides on water-related issues. The Ministry of Water and Irrigation denied the allegations.
• Reports claiming that an exchange deal has been reached for the release of Jordanian nationals Hiba Labadi and Abdul Rahman Mari held by Israeli authorities in exchange for the release of an Israeli infiltrator. Jordanian official sources insisted that the infiltrator, who had illegally crossed into Jordan, has not been released and will face trial in the Kingdom.  
• News of the designation of 96,000 square dunums in Wadi Rum for the use of the Royal Film Commission. Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) rejected the news as incorrect. It also dismissed allegations that the Commission acquired the same land area. ASEZA clarified that what it did was regulating the use of land, an organizational step meant to protect the area. The move also aims to promote tourism in Wadi Rum including film making, adventure travel, or camping, according to ASEZA.

Social Rumors:

• A rumor which claimed that Jordanian telecoms companies were planning to add an extra five dinar credit to the accounts of all mobile phone users after Jordan reclaimed sovereignty over Baqura and Al-Ghamr.
• A report that was initially posted by an Arab media outlet which alleged that “Jordan was the third poorest country in the Arab region”. The report, according to Akeed, quoted unnamed experts from other countries instead of citing credible sources of information.

Security Rumors:

• Security sources refuted a total of six rumors in November, some of which were old news, including a traffic ticket that had many spelling mistakes. The Traffic Department explained that the ticket dates back to 2016, and that the necessary steps were taken at the time.
• A video clip purportedly of a gunman opening fire near a roundabout in the northern governorate of Irbid, was similarly rejected as baseless by security sources. The sources explained that the incident took place in another Arab city.