Using TV to counter propaganda

Saudi Gazette - Khawaja Umer Farooq - Jeddah - With the advancement of satellite channels and the media revolution, no one can ignore the importance of the media. The Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC) is planning to launch a new private TV channel to counter negative propaganda against the Muslim world. Several well-known channels have a large budget which plays a vital role in the media campaign against the Muslim world. In the event of any terrorist activity around the world, these TV channels grasp the opportunity to propagandize the event against Muslims, many times without substantial proof or further investigation.

Several leading TV channels do not cover the killing of innocent people in Pakistan, Myanmar, Afghanistan and the drought in Somalia. It is due to this negative media campaign that Islamophobia is now on the rise.

Discriminatory laws and humiliating behavior towards Muslims has become routine in several countries which consider themselves to be champions of human rights. Due to a lack of media awareness, Muslim countries are not able to counter this negative propaganda. The establishment of a new TV channel is necessary, and the OIC should work hard and use all of its resources for this purpose.