An Islamic perspective on media ethics

Abstract

This chapter focuses on de-Westernizing media ethics through providing development journalism as a model to promote Islamic ethical principles. The chapter provides an understanding of some core normative ethical Islamic principles in the realms of the individual and the community and suggests development journalism as a model through which these Islamic ethical values could be served. The focus is primarily set on ideal principles of journalism rather than actual journalism practice. De-Westernization is about expanding analytical perspectives by placing theoretical and comparative questions at the core of media studies. Therefore, the chapter does not perceive Islamic media ethics as a “case-study” or a distinct field separate from Western media ethics. It argues that core Western ethical values and principles such as individual freedom/autonomy, truth-seeking, human dignity, accountability, etc. that shape Western media ethics debates are also core values in Islamic ethics. The chapter concludes that development journalism could work as an effective practical model to attend to the needs and rights of the individual to access information and express opinions, together with society’s needs for critical reporting on issues of social, economic, and political justice.