jordan pulse -

By: Hani Al-Dabbas
In times overshadowed by uncertainty, crises do not begin with a shortage of resources as much as they begin with a shortage of truth. When the official narrative is delayed and the role of professional media recedes, ambiguity creeps into the general scene. Rumors then evolve from mere impressions into facts, and from passing news into deep-seated convictions that shape economic behavior. At this point, the market ceases to be a mirror of reality and becomes instead a reflection of fear. So, who will dispel it?
Fear, by its nature, does not wait for verification; it spreads faster than facts and feeds on ambiguity and lack of clarity. With every unconfirmed piece of information or irresponsible analysis, a state of collective anxiety takes shape, driving the citizen toward defensive behavior—an increasing rush toward impulsive buying driven by worry, unjustified hoarding, and anticipation of what they believe to be an upcoming shortage. These behaviors, though seemingly individual, transform with insane speed—fueled by a raging contagion—into a wave of artificial demand that creates a real gap in the market and a state of consumer panic.
On the other hand, the other side of the crisis emerges: the greed of some traders. In the absence of effective oversight or a clear picture, they seize the moment as an opportunity rather than a responsibility. Prices rise under broad justifications that have become clichés or recurring themes attached to every crisis—rising shipping costs, regional conditions, or supply chain issues, among other market tunes. The problem is not the existence of these factors, but their amplification beyond their true scope and their psychological exploitation before they are even economic.
What is striking in this context is that the official narrative, when issued clearly, reveals the size of the gap between reality and impression. The Minister of Industry and Trade has confirmed that supply chains are operating normally and that the number of containers arriving in Aqaba this month is almost equivalent to those that arrived during the same period last year. These are not just numbers; they are a clear indicator that the market has not witnessed an actual disruption that justifies the upward trend, the deliberate inflation of prices, or even this consumer panic.
It is true that insurance costs for ships rise in cases of unrest or war, which is natural in the risk equation. However, what is often overlooked is that these rates are not fixed. Historically, they begin to decrease gradually after the first days of a crisis and stabilize as indicators of stability crystallize and the flow of supplies continues. Therefore, the most realistic factor in raising costs is a temporary condition—unless it is driven by the aforementioned motives of greed—and is not a justification for exaggerated, sustainable increases.
What is happening is not a supply crisis as much as it is a crisis of trust. Its foundation is an incomprehensible dryness or slowness in the flow of information, in the ability of media institutions to play their role, and in the speed and clarity of the official media discourse. When these elements are absent, rumors, misinformation, and analyses lacking facts rush in to fill the market void with irrational reactions: a trader who exaggerates, a consumer who rushes, and a market that loses its balance.
The necessary result is not only rising prices but a disruption in the system as a whole. Rumors turn into an economic catalyst, and fear becomes a driver of demand. These are the most dangerous forms of crises—those we ourselves.
The solution lies not only in oversight or penalties but in reclaiming reliable information as a tool for market regulation through professional media and a cohesive official narrative that restores trust in the state's tools and its role. It requires transparency in figures and facts to ensure the restoration of confidence and the breaking of the cycle of fear and greed. For the market is not managed by supply and demand alone—but by awareness.