The University of Jordan (UJ) represented by its president, Prof. Nathir Obeidat, on Wednesday attended at the Jordan Media Institute (JMI) the opening ceremony of the conference "Drivers of Public Opinion - Role of Media and Social Media", which was held under the patronage of Her Highness Princess Rym Ali.

The conference, organized by the Jordan Media Institute (JMI) in cooperation with the International Republican Institute (IRI) in presence of JMI's Dean, Dr. Mirna Abou Zeid, saw the participation of public officials, and media professionals, scholars, and experts.

After the opening of the conference, during which Her Highness the Princess gave a welcoming speech, and when asked by the press about the role of the University in the media aspect and in shaping public opinion, Obeidat said it's imperative and inevitable for universities to lead public opinion in society, adding that, at UJ, we have always sought this goal through the activities undertaken by students, professors, and all university staff.

The University president also stressed the need for mutual trust, saying that "just as we want the society to trust us; we have to offer something trustworthy", concluding that Technology has made great strides, and HE institutions must keep pace with it, and utilize it in various fields of knowledge that would advance this nation and fulfill the hopes and aspirations of society in all sectors.

The conference featured three panel discussions lead by local and foreign experts, including Prof. Mohammad Momani, a member of the Senate and a former minister of State for Media Affairs, Prof. Shahira Fahmi, from the American University in Amman, and the director of the Centre for Strategic Studies at UJ, Prof. Zaid Eyadat.

The discussions explored the impact of disinformation, misinformation and fake news on public opinion, media and the polarization of opinion, the role of social media during pandemics and the role of the media in shaping and channeling public policy with a focus on opinion polls, commercial and political marketing, political propaganda and election campaigns.