A Study on the Role of the Media and Its Effect on the Identity of Muslims (Part 15)
The Illusion of Media Freedom in the West and False Democracy
Social science thinkers and political leaders have authored reasoned and logical content about the importance and use of media as one of the building blocks of democracy. The theories presented in various political and legal schools emphasize the necessity of freedom of speech and freedom of the press while pointing out the need to criticize the government.
Acting outside the dos and don’ts of media governance in any society is a sign of sovereignty, allowing the authors of thought and expression to fulfill their mission as representatives of the people. Unfortunately, in the current era, the media has become an invisible weapon for major powers to achieve their goals.
People in most countries do not receive unbiased and accurate news and information. Instead of serving to empower the people in shaping society, the media has largely served the interests of the powerful. This issue arises from the dominance of media giants situated in powerful countries, making them tools for those in power.
New communication and information technologies have the potential to fundamentally change the essence of democracy by influencing the democratic values of human societies. The media has opened up new opportunities for political participation in cyberspace by directly communicating with citizens. This includes the formation of political discussion forums, the active presence of numerous political parties, groups, and personalities on the Internet, and the launch of millions of websites belonging to government agencies and major political powers. All of this is a clear indication that the media can create a new form of democracy or, at the very least, alter people’s perceptions, beliefs, and values regarding democracy, which are grounded in traditional views.
Despite ongoing debates about the positive or negative effects of the media on democracy, it is indisputable that the media’s significant capabilities in establishing interactive relationships and enabling direct communication can present an opportunity for the development of democracy in various societies.
On the other hand, the media can also act as an obstacle to democracy. The impact of Internet technology on communication and politics has been shaped over recent decades, with politics—especially democracy—serving as one of the most important focal points in communication and political studies.
Historically, the media has been employed by many countries as a tool for psychological warfare and war propaganda in all conflicts of the 20th and 21st centuries, often supporting the claimed democracy of the West and serving its interests. For instance, during the Vietnam War, the United States utilized media and propaganda tools, but the revelation of American crimes in Vietnam by independent media significantly affected public opinion. Shocking images shared in 1972 ultimately led to the withdrawal of American forces by 1973. Nonetheless, major media outlets remained aligned with American interests.
Following the lessons learned from the Vietnam War and the performance of the media, the U.S. revised and refined its media policies in subsequent conflicts, limiting journalists’ access to war zones. In 1991, during the First Persian Gulf War, Western media were barred from entering combat areas. Similarly, during the Kosovo War, NATO held daily press conferences and provided the media with pre-prepared images within a specific framework. In the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the forces implemented a strategy of silence and counterintelligence regarding public opinion.
Today, the same practices persist in Gaza. As a result, the media has continually served the powers that be, and the democracy that the West claims is ultimately an empty assertion, and a form of propaganda designed to advance their own goals. Western countries do not adhere to their own advertised principles. The media operates according to the directives of the government and the ruling elite, with governmental institutions exerting strict oversight.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), an independent government agency in the United States, oversees interstate and international radio, television, satellite, and cable communications. In the U.S., publishing newspapers and magazines does not require a government license; however, establishing a radio or television station requires an FCC license. These licenses are valid for one year and must be renewed annually before expiration. Obtaining a license necessitates experience, skill, and sufficient capital (at least equivalent to the annual operational cost of the institution).
Moreover, the FCC monitors all media programs and content, censoring certain information, and occasionally including government-preferred or misleading information in media outputs. Researchers at the Stanford Internet Observatory and Graphica have found numerous social media accounts that consistently amplify narratives aligned with the interests of the United States and its allies while opposing countries such as Russia and China.
In 2022, the United States Congress allocated $500 million to produce content targeting China for foreign audiences. National security is frequently cited to justify such actions. This raises the question: how does censorship of free speech and the application of double standards in the dissemination of information genuinely contribute to U.S. national security? Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to ban TikTok. These instances illustrate that the West aims for democracy and media to serve its interests, using them as tools to reach their objectives.
In the dark realm of Western media, the Muslim audience—especially Muslim youth—should exercise greater caution than any other group. Rather than solely relying on information from Western and biased media, they should seek reliable sources, trust Islamic media, and engage with truly impartial and truth-seeking platforms.
