Veteran Indonesian journalist Parni Hadi urged Muslim journalists to apply principles set out by Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) in their work to enhance their credibility.
Addressing the International Islamic Media Conference in Jakarta recently, the former chief of Antara news agency also called for the establishment of an international Muslim media development centre in Indonesia.
Mr Hadi, who has 40 years experience in journalism, spelled out the four principles set out by the Prophet as truthfulness, dissemination of the truth, reliability and trustworthiness.
He said Muslim journalists of today have much to learn from the Prophet who had practiced what he had professed.
“It must be admitted that many leaders, preachers and media professionals in the Muslim world have not yet implemented what Prophet Mohammed had said and done. They talk too much with less action and their actions are often contrary to what they say,” he said.
Mr Hadi said that freedom of expression, independence and objectivity were prerequisites for Prophetic journalism to give optimal results.
He emphasised that Muslim journalists should work for world peace, justice, and economic and social well-being as well as to create an atmosphere for people to achieve mental peace.
Basic need
Spelling out his experience in the field, he said democracy is a basic requirement for journalism to thrive. He said while he was working for Antara he had faced many difficulties from governments of different countries.
“We should enhance people-to-people contact to progress in the media,” he said while talking about the growing influence of the social media.
Hadi also spoke about Republika, the largest circulating Islamic newspaper in Indonesia of which he was the first publisher and editor-in-chief.
He asked Indonesians why Republika was not the No 1 newspaper.
“We want to be No 1. The secular media are dominant because of several reasons such as quality, professionalism and public acceptance due to ideological and political perceptions,” he said.
Humanitarian work
As a social activist, Mr Hadi has been successful in combining his Islamic propagation work (dawa) with humanitarian activities. In 1993, he set up ‘Dompet Dhuafa Republika Foundation,’ better known as ‘DD,’ which means ‘Purse for the Poor.’
DD’s funds are disbursed for three main empowerment programmes namely, interest-free revolving funds for small and medium enterprises, free health care and free education for the poor.
“The success of DD is not just in the steady increase of collected funds but also in an ever-increasing awareness of Muslims in paying Zakat and the public trust in Muslim fundraising foundations, which are professionally managed with a high standard of accountability,” he said.
In addition to 65,000 fixed donors, DD is now backed by corporate social responsibility funds of domestic and international firms.
Government patronage
Mr Hadi urged Muslim governments and officials to be friendly with the media and extend their helping hand to change the situation in the Muslim world for the better.
A number of Indonesian Muslim women actively participated in the conference, asking questions, making proposals and interacting with speakers and other delegates.
Labibah Zain, a social activist and blogger, protested the absence of women speakers in the conference and requested the organizers to include women in future media conferences.
Soraya Fadhal, a lecturer at UAI, Jakarta called on the Muslim media to present Islam in an appealing manner, focusing on its humanistic and environment-friendly teachings.
Editor’s Note: The above report, which appeared in the Jeddah based Arab News, has been reproduced here with the permission of its editor-in-chief Khaled Al Maeena.
