Digital media has prevalently negative effects on Muslims

The media is such a powerful source of information but what it holds more strongly than information, is power. Depending on how that information is portrayed, that’s how the media sways its audience to hold one opinion or the other, which I believe is true power. Holding someone’s will in the palm of your hand. In the ink of your pen. In your click of a button. Especially because of a fast-growing transition to digital media, the minds of the masses are deftly held by whatever content can be consumed quickly and concisely. Unfortunately, in this new manner of consumerism, many things can be lost in translation.
So what does this mean for Muslims? Well first and foremost, misinformation is one of the greatest causes of Islamophobia. Many people oppose Islam because of what they think it stands for, regardless of its accuracy. In an age of digital media, it’s easy to misinterpret information presented specifically for consumers to intake and move on from, not necessarily providing you with something to think and reflect on. Digital media, in comparison, to print media, including primarily, newspapers, is unable to give the full picture nowadays because no one expects or wants that from it anymore. In print media, because of the way it is formatted, it is designed to give consumers a clear and detailed form of whatever information is being presented which separates it from the age of online news.
Another reason digital media has prevalently negative effects on Muslims is because of the light we are painted in. Biased journalism is quickly becoming normalized and when a majority audience reacts violently to a piece of content regarding Muslims negatively, pieces similar to that will continue to be published regardless of their authenticity. In print media, everything is final and permanent and so the vetting process for all the content is vigorous in contrast to digital media, which can be transported to every end of the earth by the quick and virtually impermanent press of a button.
Unfortunately, the only way to truly represent Islam is for the information to come from Islamic sources. As Muslims, we’re legally entitled to proceed in an organized manner to protect our faith, and our media is equally entitled to publish literature that provides an authentic representation of our religion to the general public. But an inadequate presence of Muslim media adds fuel to the fire that burns with our desperation for a seat at the table. Although Muslim media has significantly increased in the last 5-10 years, the number still pales in comparison to overall sources and even then, only in digital media. Print media, which is arguably more accurate and authentic than digital media, is slowly going out of date making those who’ve made serious progress in getting their perspectives out in the community forced to uproot and relocate to the competitive domain of digital media and start completely over.
Beyond any doubt, media, through radio, television, newspaper, or the internet, has the potential to connect and bridge communities. Digital media is a doorway to a gold mine of accessibility, capable of enriching the minds of consumers. Who uses it and how is what determines the public’s outlook on a range of topics, including Muslims. So despite what anyone else may be saying, it’s important for Muslims themselves to stand up for truthful representation, even if that requires us to do it personally.
By: Khadija Nadeem
Laysa Lil Insana illa ma’ sa’aa
That man can have nothing
but what he strives for.