SRINAGAR: Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday called for greater responsibility and ethical conduct by media professionals and social media users, saying those holding cameras and microphones must remain mindful of their moral and social obligations while creating and sharing content.
Addressing the Friday congregation at the historic Jamia Masjid Srinagar, the Mirwaiz said every individual is accountable for the responsibilities entrusted to them, irrespective of their profession or position in society.
Quoting a Hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) — “Every one of you is a guardian, and every one of you will be questioned about those under his care” — he said the principle of accountability extends to parents, teachers, traders, leaders, public figures and the media, which plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion.
Describing the media as an important pillar of society, the Mirwaiz said social media has become an equally powerful platform in the present era. While it has the potential to educate and strengthen society when used responsibly, he cautioned that the pursuit of followers, viewership and online popularity without regard for its consequences can cause serious social harm.
Without naming any individual, the Mirwaiz referred to a recently circulated viral video in which a minor child was questioned about the prevailing heatwave and school holidays, and the child’s impolite response was widely broadcast and shared on social media. He said such incidents raise important questions about exposing children to public scrutiny and using them to generate online engagement without considering the long-term impact.
He stressed that children are the future of society and that the questions posed to them, as well as the content they consume and participate in, play a significant role in shaping their thoughts and values. “Children cannot be reduced to tools for entertainment, publicity or increasing social media engagement,” he said.
Calling for sensitivity and accountability in public discourse, the Mirwaiz said journalists, content creators and social media influencers must recognise the responsibility that comes with holding cameras and microphones, adding that they are answerable both to society and to Allah for the content they produce and disseminate.
Appealing to media professionals and the public alike, he urged people to exercise restraint and discretion while creating, sharing and promoting content. He said the character of society in the digital age will largely depend on what people choose to watch, endorse and circulate, emphasising that even differences of opinion should be expressed with maturity, respect and moral responsibility so that children grow up with positive examples before them.
