A Study on the Role of the Media and Its Effects on the Identity of Muslims(Part 44)
Functions, Fields of Activity, and Content of Religious Media
In an Islamic system, there is another view of religious media, and this view is reflected in our interpretation of “religion”. If we consider religion as the way of life, nothing outside of religion has meaning, and in an Islamic system, everything must be religious. Based on this meaning, the media will be a means of promoting the culture of the Islamic society and the religious lifestyle. In this sense, even the publication of osteology and flower and plant, or radio traffic and news, or tourism television channel, etc., should be called religious media; because in an Islamic system, there must be a complete framework of objectives, programs, institutions, and culture-building media around the axis of religion.
In addition, religion also has a special meaning; religion sometimes means religious rituals, rules, knowledge, and morals. In this view of religion, the media in an Islamic system can, with appropriate research, prioritization, and policies, respond to the different needs and tastes of their audience in the field of religion.
However, the main difference between religious media and other media is that religious media is basically defined by the goals and norms governing the media. Religious media is media that adheres to religious principles, norms, and values. It is responsible, guiding, Allah-oriented, moral-oriented, and value-oriented.
In contrast to the broadcasting of movies, TV series, commercials, news, stories, analysis, reports, and broadcasts of sports and cooking programs, religious media is religious, value-oriented, and Allah-oriented, and it acts in front of its general and specific audiences as well as attracting the audience in order to please Allah. Therefore, the most important feature of religious media is its responsibility, and it considers itself responsible in promoting religious and moral values in front of the audience and Allah Almighty. It considers religious messaging and the promotion of Islamic knowledge as its inherent duty. Unlike the secular media, whose main mission is to earn profit, attract the maximum number of audiences, and engage in competition and commercial activity.
In religious culture, just as commercial work in the mosque has no meaning, religious media cannot be brought into the field of commercial competition, and its mission should not be considered to gain maximum commercial profit and attract the maximum audience. Therefore, in the Islamic system, the religious media should be managed by the members of the media who adhere to religious principles and teachings and align with the actions of believers. Shaping relations between believers is the main task of religious media. The functions of this media should be formed in line with the needs of these people.
The duty of the religious media is to guide, provide educational, entertainment, information, and social mobilization programs for the believers. In other words, in an Islamic system, the main mission of religious media should be to promote religion, Quranic teachings, and moral values. The requirement for this work is management ability, knowledge of the media and its requirements, as well as sufficient knowledge of religion as three necessary elements for the proper and successful management of religious media.
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