Free Speech in Holy Scripture Dr. Ali Al Qaradaghi | IUMS Secretary General Mass media is no doubt a formidable force. It does not only play a major role in shaping people’s sentiments and opinions, but it also seeks truth and justice.
uprooted from the earth, with no power to endure.” Here, a word is an allegory for the media. It was only 25 years ago, with the emergence of Al Jazeera, that the Arab world, and perhaps even the developing world, no longer had to rely solely on the information fed to it by foreign news agencies and media outlets. Al Jazeera came to light on November 1, 1996 under the wise vision of the Father Emir, Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The directives were clear: no ceiling or restrictions to freedom of expression; and so be it. Since its inception, Al Jazeera, with its credibility, objectivity, and professionalism, has gained popularity. It cemented its position at the forefront of the regional and international media landscape. It has been telling the stories of the nation; from the Palestinian cause to the wars that have erupted in the region. Not only has Al Jazeera made a revolution in the Arab media, but it has also made a huge intellectual transformation. Slowly but surely, Al Jazeera expanded its network of channels and has become a force to be reckoned with among the major global media outlets.
Likewise, the media can play the opposite role: falsifying the truth; canonising the tyrant; and demonising the righteous. That is why journalism is referred to as the ‘Fourth Estate’ - a term coined by Edmund Burke, who used it in a parliamentary debate in 1787 on the opening up of press reporting of Great Britain’s House of Commons. “There were three estates in the Parliament, but in the Reporters’ Gallery yonder, there sat a Fourth Estate more important far than they all,” said Burke. Going back in history, Islam has since its advent given true importance to print media, not only as a means of transfer of knowledge, but also a tool of change and of defending the right. This was further stressed in the Holy Scripture: “Hast thou not seen how Allah has cited an example: a good word is as a good tree – its roots are firm; its branches high in heaven.” Suah 14, verse 24. Allah Almighty has also drawn the opposite example in the following verse of the same Surah: “And the likeness of a corrupt word is as a corrupt tree –
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