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Muslim Views . June 2019
Muslim media must report in the public interest Vol. 33 No. 5 l SHAWWAAL 1440 l JUNE 2019
THIS edition of Muslim Views contains two articles relating to allegations of ‘spiritual abuse’ against a renowned international Muslim preacher. These articles call for some reflection on the type of content we publish and the relevant standards we apply when considering publication of such stories. The substance of these stories, and that of others we have published in the past, is unusual in that it potentially affects the dignity and reputation of individuals. Usually, we do not publish content that focuses on the wrongdoing of named individuals or the personal lives of public figures, unless this is justified by its public interest value. This is the broad standard that is applicable when considering publication of such stories. In this respect, we rely on two main sources, namely, a regulatory framework in the form of the Press Code of the Press Council of South Africa and the Islamic principle of masalih al mursala. Muslim Views is committed to the Press Code, which covers, inter alia, guidelines on gathering and reporting news; independence of the media; privacy, dignity and reputation and the protection of personal information. The code also stipulates that the work of media is ‘guided at all times by the public interest, understood to describe information of legitimate interest or importance to citizens’. The code imposes a standard that, inter alia, is credible and worthy of the public trust, strives for truth, avoids unnecessary harm and reflects a multiplicity of voices. In addition, the code requires ‘sensitivity to the cultural customs’ of their readers and independence by publishers and journalists. The conduct of an individual or a collectivity, like a business or an organisation, is of public interest when there is clear and compelling reason for showing how the public interest is undermined by such conduct.
We are confident that we are complying with the requirement for this standard. Similarly, we are confident that there is compelling affirmation by classical and contemporary Muslim scholars of the principle of masalih al mursala, which recognises the pre-eminence of goodness and virtue – as opposed to evil and vice – as the ideal of human conduct. There is a striking distinction between the South African Press Code, which is based on secular democratic values, and that of masalih al mursala, which is founded on Islamic values. The latter recognises the sovereignty of moral, ethical and spiritual conduct over public interest in the secular sense. Therefore, masalih al mursala imposes a higher, more onerous, universal standard of the ‘common good’ on a Muslim publisher than on a publisher that embraces only conventional public interest secular values. We are equally confident that our coverage of content such as the articles referred to above are consistent with the principle of masalih al mursala. It is in the application of both a secular press code and an Islamic principle that an independent Muslim media organisation must constantly assess whether content is newsworthy, in the public interest and consistent with the principle that advocates goodness and virtue over evil and vice. And if goodness and virtue are potentially subverted by the conduct of people and their institutions then a Muslim newspaper has a responsibility to publish appropriately. The mission of Muslim Views is to use contemporary media to provide information, comment and analysis and to advocate universal values and social justice. And we are committed to doing so independently. In fulfilling this mission, we carefully consider the applicable guidelines that make adequate provision for appropriate coverage of relevant stories in the public interest.
Our editorial comment represents the composite viewpoint of the Editorial Team of Muslim Views, and is the institutional voice of the newspaper. Correspondence can be sent to editor@mviews.co.za
Publishers: BRISKTRADE 175 (Pty) Ltd • P O Box 442 Athlone 7760 South Africa Tel: 021 696 5404 • Fax Admin: 021 696 9301 Advertising adverts@mviews.co.za • Admin info@mviews.co.za Editor Farid Sayed • E-mail editor@mviews.co.za DISTRIBUTION Your Advertiser 021 638 7491 PRINTED BY Paarl Coldset Cape This newspaper carries Allah’s names, the names of the Prophets and sacred verses of the Holy Qur’an. Please treat it with the respect it deserves. Either keep, circulate or recycle. Please do not discard. Views and opinions expressed by contributors and advertisers in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial team or the publishers.
EID-UL-FITR 1440 AH INSIDE THIS SPECIAL EDITION
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Nouman Ali Khan case was ‘grossly mishandled’
Spiritual abuse: the violation of an amanah
Eid: invigorated with heightened capacity
Islamic heritage as colonial and apartheid redress
Reimagining Imam Abdullah Haron’s path to shahadah
Marking Imam Haron’s arrest 50 years ago
Al Andalus: a land of Islam for a thousand years
The politics of Halaal tourism
Poor man’s gold
Overseas tour a boost for community cricket
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EID MUBARAK!
Muslim Views subscribes to the Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced. If we don’t live up to the Code, please contact the Public Advocate at 011 484 3612, fax: 011 4843 619. You can also contact the Press Council’s Case Officer on khanyim@ombudsman.org.za or lodge a complaint on the Council’s website: www.presscouncil.org.za
