Role and impact of religion-media in fighting against violence and extremism
Role and impact of religion-media in fighting against violence and extremism
Dr. Husain Khairi[1]
Syed Mohammad Ali Aon[2]
ABSTRACT
The Media has aided the world to become a global village. Advancements in technology have created ‘time-saving devices’ that have made the world a much smaller place enabling people to easily and conveniently communicate with each other over the same platform. Further common beliefs and basic moral values have brought people together in the form of different religions which have enabled people to be closer to each other through religion. Thus it can be loosely stated that both religion and media have brought the world together and made it a global village. Different people have made various attempts to define religion over the years however, each of their definitions are only reflections of their personal mindset and views. This enhances the need to study religion scientifically and academically so that we may under religion as it ought to be. In recent times particularly it can be identified that, there is a tremendous change in the attitude of media when presenting religion. This can be significantly noted in the way media portrayed religion especially after the 9/11 attacks. People have started to understand religion from media and thus, media, using its three popular metaphors: media as a channel, media as a language and, media as environment, have mediatized religion and presented religion in a different form. Thus, we may now witness many religious terminologies such as Islam, Jihad, Muslim, and Sharia etc. being misinterpreted by the media. However, religion suggests basic moral values for media on how it should report anything and that it has to be wise when narrating an incident. By abiding by these teachings of religion the real picture of any religion can be presented and a true sense of humanity can be enhanced within human society that may bring peace and stability in society which may eliminate violence and extremism from the society as these negative traits emerge because of the negative portrayal of religion. Thus, media – under the guidance of religion – can easily fight against violence and extremism.
Keywords: Religion, Media, Islam, Violence, Extremism
