Mind needs information as body needs food. Our Physiological composition and condition largely depends on what we eat. Likewise, our psychological composition and condition depends on what we hear, see and read. Contaminated food does no less harm to the body than does misinformation to the mind. Malnutrition predisposes the body to diseases as lack of information predisposes the mind to dangers and abuses.
Deliberate food poisoning is a crime so should deliberate misinformation be. Supplying fake drugs and contaminated foods for public consumption can cause a colossal damage to vital organ of the body; impair the body system or cause illness and death. Misinformation can derail a person, steer civil disturbance and misguide the people. Many are the victims of false propaganda. Most religious bigots, ideological zealots, heartless terrorists, hero-worshippers, political hardliners and sycophants, unrepentant criminals, idol-worshippers, blind followers and psychopaths are but routed victims of the vicious forces of misinformation and mis-education. Some people are mere raw materials for others. They are unwittingly out to ruin their honour and future in order to preserve the selfish interests of others.
Journalism which involves professional dissemination of information is a vital institution in the promotion of societal well-being, general development and civility. Prompt news enables one to take pragmatic measures against dangers. Information keeps us abreast of world event and brings the farther closer. It brings the world closer to us and us closer to the world. The world, despite its vastness, is today seen as a small village due to advanced information technology and modern means of communication. This achievement must be to our advantage.
Journalism is a trust. Being qualified as a journalist is like being certified as medical doctor. The two professionals as well as similar ones owe the people a duty of care and honesty. Quacks amongst the physicians as well as swindlers amongst the journalists are enemies of humanity who can cause irreparable loss to lives and properties and mangle relationships. It is a great betrayal of trust to misinform the people.
I remember in my school days when I was told that my attention was urgently needed by the teacher of one of my favourite subjects. Promptly did I go, only to realise upon her announcement that I was being fooled by my classmates. It was April 1st. I was that day convinced that liars are actually fools; they deserve to have a day. Lying is wickedness. ‘Hypocrite has three signs: he lies when he talks; he breaks his promises and betrays trust’, Prophet Muhammad said. Actions lead to habits, and habits become character. Worse indeed is one who lies for pecuniary gains. Lying to make money or gain favour or out of bigotry and hatred for others -where trust is reposed- is a sign of immaturity, incompetence, indiscipline and baseness. Mendacious people are simpletons and are often certifiable.
It is worst though to lie about God Almighty by discussing Him without knowledge or attributing to Him revelations and prophecies that never emanated from Him. One may be led to the fire of Hell through misinformation about God and ways to salvation. The word of Prophet Muhammad is vivid in my mind, ‘whoever invites another to misguidance will receive sins equal to the number of those who are misguided by his misinformation.’ God says, ‘Who does more wrong than one who invents lies about God to mislead people out of ignorance?’ Q6/144
Responsible journalism and responsible people must be uncompromisingly featured with honesty. Creativity and dexterity in the use of language are though essential flair of a seasoned journalist, this should not lead to exaggeration and sensationalism which will end up divesting reports of truth or unjustifiably smearing people’s honour or mince words in what requires commendation.
Reports must be verified before broadcast. It is easy to spread information but difficult to retract. Allah, the Lord of Majesty says in the glorious Qur’an, ‘Do not talk about what you have no knowledge of. The hearing, and the sight, and the hearts—all these will be questioned,’Q17/36.
He says, ‘O you who believe! If a troublemaker brings you any news, investigate, lest you harm people out of ignorance, and you become regretful for what you have done,’Q49/6.
He says, ‘When you rumoured it with your tongues, and spoke with your mouths what you had no knowledge of, and you considered it trivial; but according to Allah, it is serious. When you heard it, you should have said, “It is not for us to repeat this. By Your glory, this is a serious slander,”Q24/15&16.
He says, ‘When some news of security or alarm comes their way, they broadcast it. But had they referred it to the Messenger, and to those in authority among them, those who can draw conclusions from it would have comprehended it. Were it not for Allah’s blessing and mercy upon you, you would have followed the Devil, except for afew,’Q4/83. He says, ‘Allah does not like the public uttering of bad language, unless someone was wronged. Allah is Hearing and Knowing,’ Q4/148.
Responsible journalism and respectable politicians must respect privacy, liberty and legitimate dissent.
The holy book says, ‘O you who believe! No people shall ridicule other people, for they may be better than they. Nor shall any women ridicule other women, for they may be better than they. Nor shall you slander one another, nor shall you insult one another with names. Evil is the return to wickedness after having attained faith. Whoever does not repent—these are the wrongdoers.
O you who believe! Avoid most suspicion—some suspicion is sinful. And do not spy on one another, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would detest it. So remain mindful of Allah. Allah is Most Relenting, Most Merciful.
O people! We created you from a male and a female, and made you races and tribes, that you may know one another. The best among you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous. Allah is All-Knowing, Well-Experienced.’ Q49/11-13
Journalism must promote virtue and advocate justice and peace. Allah says, ‘O you who believe! Stand firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even if against yourselves, or your parents, or your relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah takes care of both. So do not follow your desires, lest you swerve. If you deviate, or turn away—then Allah is Aware of what you do,’ Q4/135. Journalists who compromise the truth and justice betray God and humanity.
Responsible media practitioners must promote morality and decency. Agents of immorality and debauchery are agents of Satan and destruction. Some movies and music are a real malady and sign of moral poverty; they are capable of disorientating the youth and destroy family values that hold the society together. it is an abuse to womanhood any music and movies which sexualise women and depict them as a mere sex object and public property that can be used and dumped by anyone with money. Such does not deserve the praise of people of integrity and conscience. ‘Those who love to see immorality spread among the believers—for them is a painful punishment in this life and in the Hereafter. Allah knows, and you do not know.’ Q24/19
The Bible says, “Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarrelling and jealousy.” Roman 13/13.
Virtues and vices are never the same. All people relish the former even if they do not abide by it all, and abhor the latter even if they do not relinquish it all. Social sanity is strengthened if miscreants and confirmed criminals are made to face the wrath of law or dispraise of the media and are publicly penalised or criticised. Likewise do exemplary figures and communities deserve to be publicly commended and encouraged so as to motivate them to do more and promote virtues in the society. This is the balance that can ensure social justice and media objectivity.
Words are powerful; responsible journalists, influential individuals and leaders should abide by these ethics and use their rhetoric to effect positive change in the society and engender peaceful co-existence. No peace no progress.
Let us see ourselves as humans before any other considerations. No nation can thrive or survive under the atmosphere of rancour and acrimony. Let us be our brothers’ keepers. Let us see the suffering of one of us as a challenge to all of us. No one among us should be allowed to be suffered or oppressed while we have the ability to help. Helping one another is a sign of true humanity and civilisation. Taking undue advantage of others and corruption is a sign of bestiality and inhumanity. Differences in language, tribe, colour and status are a demonstration of the creative might and infinite wisdom of the Almighty God. They should be harnessed to our advantage, and are never to be used as basis for hate or discrimination. Humanity is a big project; let us all invest hugely in it so as to make our world a better place and leave an enviable legacy for posterity.
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