DancesWithCamels

I recently came across an interesting article in the New York Times entitled ‘Misreading the Arab media.’ The gist of the article is that the U.S. has a skewed vision of Arab media. Included in the article is a graphic containing information about the opinions of Arab journalists. It is enlightening, and for the most part makes the article’s point. Namely, that Arab media is more closely aligned ideologically speaking with the U.S. then previously realized and that it could be used as a powerful ally against extremism and terrorists in the Middle-East.

This is no doubt the truth, though I don’t believe for the reasons given in the article. The article makes interesting points, but I felt that it left an important component virtually unmentioned. (More on this later.)

Part of the graphic contains the results of a poll taken of Arab journalists. The question asked is: “It is the job of a journalist to…?” The poll included twenty possible responses, and each individual polled could select more than one answer to the question. The responses ranged from the most selected answer of “encourage political reform,” (chosen by 75% of respondents,) to the least selected answer of “represent employers interests,” (chosen by 6% of respondents.)

Most of the possible responses contained noble ideals, such as “Be a voice for the poor,” “Promote civic engagement,” and “Encourage development.” It is certainly my opinion that the region could benefit from things such as political reform and a transformation of society, all popular answers given to the question asked. However, I must wonder if these answers should be the role of the media. Certainly portions of the newspaper should be used to offer opinions and debate, that’s called the editorial section, but should that really be the primary purpose of the news? Should that be what is on the front page?

I always thought the purpose of the news was to offer facts. Apparently, that is not the opinion of the Arab journalists polled as only 24% responded to the question of “It is a job of the journalist to…?” with the answer of “simply report the facts.”

It seems Arab media suffers from the same disease that western media does. No longer are they in the business of reporting facts, rather, they are in the business of telling people what to think.

This is disappointing and dangerous. Sure, these media outlets could be co-opted by the U.S. to further our agenda in the Middle-East…for now. However, when we allow and encourage something other than the delivery of facts to be the ultimate goal of journalism, even if the intentions are good, then it will inevitably be debased into propaganda.

The Wikipedia definition of propaganda is: a concerted set of messages aimed at influencing the opinions or behaviors of large numbers of people. As opposed to impartially providing information, propaganda in its most basic sense presents information in order to influence its audience. Propaganda often presents facts selectively (thus lying by omission) to encourage a particular synthesis, or gives loaded messages in order to produce an emotional rather than rational response to the information presented. The desired result is a change of the cognitive narrative of the subject in the target audience to further a political agenda.

Based on this definition, the New York Times article implicitly advocates the use of propaganda. They would encourage that journalists deliver something other than the truth. To their credit, they don’t do so with malicious intent. In fact, they appear to be finding a means of assisting the U.S. defeat its enemies. Again, a noble intent and something which I strongly admire, but I still find this unacceptable.

If we are truly committed to developing transparency, freedom of speech, and political plurality in the Middle-East, then we should start by ensuring the media delivers facts, not propaganda. Only facts can expose the evils and ills of the Islamist agenda, and only facts can demonstrate that no faction holds the moral high ground or possesses a monopoly on suffering.

After all, facts, by their very definition, are the truth. Since when is the truth not enough? If our intentions are as righteous as we claim, if we really wish to spread freedom, then the truth should be.

And Jesus said “Then you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”

- John 8:32