Perspective: Media should exercise more care in labels applied to shootings | Dr. Ijaz Ahmed

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“There is no doubt that the media plays a huge role in influencing public opinion and so the media should use this power responsibly - as a force for good and as a force for peace.”

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: Telegram.com
By Dr. Ijaz Ahmed | October 9, 2017

Reading about the shocking and horrifying shooting that occurred in Las Vegas struck me at my core. As an Ahmadi Muslim, my heart and prayers go out to all of the victims and their families.

The exact motive of the shooter in Las Vegas is still unclear, but some media outlets have reported that ISIS has claimed responsibility, despite a lack of evidence. It is wholly irresponsible and hypocritical for the media to report like this. Why do the main stream media spend hours fact-checking the president’s 140-character tweets, but arbitrarily link ISIS and this attack without evidence?

ISIS, or Daesh, loves media attention and bringing them into the spotlight only legitimizes their evil campaign. In fact, even referring to them as an “Islamic” state is also completely irresponsible, given that their actions have nothing to do with the religion of Islam.

Moreover, the gunman is immediately labeled as a “lone wolf.” The sad truth is that whenever the shooter looks like a Muslim, the headlines read “possible terrorist link.” And when the shooter is black or Hispanic, the headlines read “possibly gang-related.” The multiple standards that exist in the media are appalling.

His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim community said, “There is no doubt that the media plays a huge role in influencing public opinion and so the media should use this power responsibly - as a force for good and as a force for peace.”

Ijaz Ahmed, Ph.D.
Worcester
President, Fitchburg Chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA


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