Dr. Fiaz Maqbool Fazili
In moments of conflict and crisis, the information landscape becomes a battlefield of its own. Tweets fly, breaking news scrolls non-stop, and conflicting statements from journalists, politicians, and government spokespersons compete for attention. Facts, opinions, and propaganda swirl together, making it difficult to distinguish truth from falsehood. In such times, what—and whom—should we believe?
Perhaps the more urgent question is *how* we believe. The answer lies not just in consuming news but in consciously filtering it through the lens of responsibility, verification, and humanity. In an age where a single tweet can shape national discourse, the responsibility of journalists—and of us all—has never been greater.
The Quranic Principle: Verify Before You Believe
The timeless wisdom of the Quran offers a powerful guideline:
“O you who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, verify it, lest you harm people unwittingly and later regret what you have done.” (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:6)
This command isn’t just theological advice; it’s a universal principle of information ethics. When we accept and act upon unverified news—especially from dubious sources—we don’t just risk being wrong. We risk harming individuals, communities, and institutions while empowering those who thrive on confusion, falsehood, and division.
This is precisely why scholars of Hadith were stringent about narrators’ credibility. If a transmitter of information was unreliable, they discarded the report—even if it seemed useful or sensational. The lesson is clear: truth isn’t whatever makes the headlines first. It is what survives scrutiny.
The Weight of Irresponsible Words
In our hyper-digital era, one irresponsible journalist or influencer can cause mass confusion within minutes. When news is poorly worded, contextually incomplete, or deliberately skewed, it can incite panic, sway public opinion, or even compromise national interests.
We saw this recently when a journalist’s tweet triggered widespread speculation, only for a late-night government clarification to clean up the mess. By then, millions had already formed judgments based on misinformation.
This is why journalism isn’t just about speed—it’s about credibility. A microphone or a media handle is not a megaphone for personal emotion or haste; it is a trust, one that must be wielded with discipline.
How False Narratives Form—and Spread Fast
Creating a false picture of reality is not always intentional. But it is always harmful. Here are five common ways misinformation seeps in:
1. Selective Information:
When people consume only ideologically aligned media, they end up with a narrow and biased worldview. As Mark Twain said, “If you don’t read the newspaper, you’re uninformed. If you do, you’re misinformed.”
2. Emotion Over Reason:
Fear, outrage, and euphoria distort our ability to judge situations objectively. One emotionally charged headline can outweigh ten factual reports in shaping opinion.
3. Cognitive Biases:** Confirmation bias and anchoring bias often lead people to embrace information that reinforces what they already believe while dismissing contradictory facts.
4. Social Pressure:
People tend to adopt the dominant opinion within their group, even when it is wrong. Social media echo chambers worsen this effect.
5. Lack of Context:
Miscommunication or incomplete understanding of complex events can lead to gross misinterpretations. Words without context are often more dangerous than silence.
Consequences We Can’t Afford
When misinformation becomes the norm, the consequences are far-reaching—especially during war, peace negotiations, or societal division. Governments, businesses, and citizens may make choices based on incorrect data, leading to policy failures, economic losses, or public unrest. False assumptions erode relationships and create unnecessary conflicts—both in personal life and governance.
Polarization:
Misinformation deepens political and social divides. The more misinformed a society becomes, the harder it is to reach consensus.
Economic Fallout:
Misreading market signals, ignoring social undercurrents, or relying on wrong forecasts can devastate companies and careers.
Personal Regret:
Acting on false beliefs—whether in voting, investing, or speaking—can lead to deep disillusionment.
The Way Forward: Truth as a Public Duty
In a climate thick with half-truths and hot takes, how do we anchor ourselves?
1.Diversify Your Sources:
Don’t rely on a single outlet. Balance your information diet by reading across the spectrum.
2. Fact-Check Before Sharing:
Don’t forward that headline or video unless you’ve verified it. The price of a lie could be someone’s livelihood—or life.
3. Practice Critical Thinking:
Separate fact from opinion. Ask questions. If something sounds outrageous, it probably needs closer examination.
4. Manage Emotional Triggers:
Take a breath before reacting to news that angers or excites you. Emotional responses are often the enemy of clarity.
5. Acknowledge Your Biases:
Recognizing our blind spots is the first step to seeing more clearly.
Journalism: Not a Weapon, but a Responsibility
Journalism must reclaim its original purpose: to inform, not inflame; to uncover truth, not push agendas. When reporters and commentators treat their platforms as ideological battlegrounds, they fail the public—and themselves.
As readers and concerned citizens, our responsibility is just as crucial. We must reward honesty, not sensationalism; nuance, not noise.
To conclude, let us borrow a humble but profound prayer:
“O Allah, show us the truth as truth, and help us follow it. Show us falsehood as falsehood, and help us avoid it.”
In the end, truth is not just a value—it is a safeguard. In times of turmoil, it may be the only one we have.
(Note: Dr. Fiaz Maqbool Fazili is a scholar and writer on media ethics, Islamic thought, and social responsibility. His work emphasizes truth, critical thinking, and ethical journalism in the digital age.)
