Wednesday, 31, May, 2006 (04, Jumada al-Ula, 1427)
Media Should Provide a Balanced Voice
Khaled Almaeena, [EMAIL PROTECTED]
The importance of the media in today's world simply cannot be underestimated. "Where the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe," said Thomas Jefferson the third president of the US and author of the country's famous and much-quoted Declaration of Independence.
In today's world, the fact is that the press is freer and journalists are more articulate and aware than Jefferson could have foreseen. This is not of course due to any sudden outbreak of tolerance and goodness on the part of the authorities in many countries. Rather it is the result - foreseen or not, wanted or not - of the Internet, modern technology, citizen journalism and the near impossibility of concealment.
What happens in the earth's most remote areas is known within minutes, if not seconds, and in many countries, citizens have come to assume the right to know to be as basic as the legendary rights to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." In addition, there is a growing desire among people for greater empowerment and a desire for greater control of their lives and the instruments of government that impinge upon them.
Yes, people want to be governed and, except for a few die-hard anarchists, they realize the necessity for government and its controlling role. At the same time, they also want to exercise their God-given right to express themselves and act according to the dictates of their consciences.
Yes, the need for government certainly exists but its purpose should be less to control than to fulfill the needs and expectations of society. It is at this point that the role of a free and independent press becomes important, vital and necessary. And here is also where the judicious exercise of power and responsibility of those in authority can be measured.
In the Arab world, this last has normally not been a possibility. For years the media in Arab countries have been either state-owned or government-controlled. The classic situation of six of one and half a dozen of the other! The Arab people, however, are also human and they too have access to technology and the Internet. They have watched with great interest the unfolding of events around the world during the last two decades - the breakup of the Soviet Union, the arrival of freedom in Eastern Europe following the collapse of the Berlin Wall, the opening up of China, the aspirations of the peoples of Latin America and the reflection of these aspirations in newly-elected governments. And along with all their awareness and observations naturally came a deep yearning for a media that did more than hail and praise the status quo, one that would focus on - and write sympathetically about - their needs, their desires and their aspirations.
And so here we are, having arrived at the need for a free press. By "free," I do not mean irresponsible or abusive. Freedom carries with it responsibility, whether of the press or in terms of personal behavior. What I mean in fact is an objective and realistic assessment of those in power, the collection and evaluation of public opinion and finally, pinpointing society's needs and desires. Generally throughout the Arab world, there is a need for an enlightened society in which enlightened individuals encounter contrary views and opinions, and are able to encourage and value intellectual differences, rather than ignoring and suppressing them.
The media have a dual role - as entertainers and as guards. The first is self-explanatory while the second is less obvious. As guards, the media must play a critical role in holding policy-makers, corporations, local authorities and others accountable for acts of omission and commission. In other words, for what is done and what is not done.
The media should also provide a free voice to the underprivileged and concentrate on social evils and social ills. Thus the media and the press become safeguards against hypocrites, opportunists, demagogues and charlatans. With this as a background, it should be very clear to the authorities, especially those in the Arab world, that the media are a friend of government and not its foe.
Freedom of speech and thought should be encouraged and we in the media must highlight our own role, never failing to realize and keep in mind that with this freedom, as mentioned earlier, comes responsibility. Accuracy in what we report is our responsibility as journalists and also doing our duty for the common good of our country is that responsibility's natural pendant. There are simply no two opinions about it.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Galang Dana Untuk Korban Gempa Yogja melalui Wanita-Muslimah dan Planet Muslim. Silakan kirim ke rekening Bank Central Asia 421-236-5541 atas nama RETNO WULANDARI.
Mari berlomba-lomba dalam kebajikan, seberapapun yang kita bisa.
=======================
Milis Wanita Muslimah
Membangun citra wanita muslimah dalam diri, keluarga, maupun masyarakat.
Situs Web: http://www.wanita-muslimah.com
ARSIP DISKUSI : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/wanita-muslimah/messages
Kirim Posting mailto:wanita-muslimah@yahoogroups.com
Berhenti mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Milis Keluarga Sejahtera mailto:keluarga-sejahtera@yahoogroups.com
Milis Anak Muda Islam mailto:majelismuda@yahoogroups.com
This mailing list has a special spell casted to reject any attachment ....
SPONSORED LINKS
| Women | Islam | Muslimah |
| Women in islam |
YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
- Visit your group "wanita-muslimah" on the web.
- To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
- Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
