When will the media arise, awake and enlighten?

Many fear that expressing constructive opinions and ideas would hurt their careers. They worry about losing their jobs.

What's happened to sensible discourse and debate in the media? With little time spent on thought, scarce knowledge goes into what is being printed in newspapers or posted online. It's important to raise questions, form opinions and not dwell on speculation. Issues should be based on fact, on substance. Clarity of thought is essential to put the message across and stoke a subtle interaction. Sadly, this is missing from many columns carried in opinion pages of local newspapers or on social network websites.
Superficiality and emotion have become the hallmark of writing today. Opinions on social networks like Twitter have restrictions of space, yet go over the top when it comes to controversy. What can you expect in 140 words? There's no depth, no feeling, as words are rattled off without any real meaning. There is a dearth of ideas and no explanation is offered, or sought.
Writers and people who post their views do not put much effort into research. They simply argue on what is known. It's like being in a coccoon: they isolate themselves and love the sound of their own words. Sense has gone out the window. Few writers and thinkers have solid arguments to convince their readers. Even if they do, they are drowned out by people who make too much noise and argue for the sake of argument. They symbolise the adage - empty vessels make much noise.
When writers are swayed by emotions, they stray from what they have to say or intend to express. Their words are a mess and language turns meaningless. Logical analysis is passe because they want to shock. Whither reasoning when 'Aye' or Nay is all that matters? Having said that, I will not underestimate their potential for they can work hard in thinking and analysis on the basis of acquired knowledge from a simple university study or from talks in non-intellectual forums and cafes. But they analyse using limited resources without understanding the context, or history, even experience. Who cares for age and experience anyway when one can curate and gather information from the web?
Critical views contribute effectively in correcting and reducing theoretical errors and opinions, but some people seek the limelight and fame amid the commotion. They quote the principles of religion, misinterepret Islam and thrive on polemic, which only fosters hate. They intimidate genuine intellectuals, many of whom have abandoned the media and social networking sites.
This situation has left a void and is posing a threat to the structure of public opinion and discourse. These rabble-rousers parrot the same old lines, which border on progaganda and paranoia. Many intellectuals have also got mixed up in this business. They are confused and wade into random speculation, rumour and half-facts. This has resulted in a fragmentation of thought with society being the loser.
Unfortunately, leading media personalities have turned their backs on creating sensible opinion. They are averse, even put off by the chaos before their eyes. Ideas concerning development are not forthcoming. What's left is praise and thoughtless encomiums far removed from the region and reality. Senior columnists, particularly in the Arabic media, fear that being critical would make them vulnerable to attacks. They fear the trolls and troublemakers, so they go into a shell.
Many fear that expressing constructive opinions and ideas would hurt their careers. They worry about losing their jobs. Some have withdrawn their columns voluntarily while others have been asked to stop posting and writing.
The UAE government and leadership pursues perfection and excellence. It wants an inspired society that is strong at the core. Such a society values knowledge, wisdom and experience. The country's initiatives on reading are a step in the right direction.
Benefiting from international experiences and opinions of philosophers and scholars of repute on peaceful coexistence will lead to an even open society. This means accepting opposing views in the right spirit, while not offending the government and the leadership.
The UAE is committed to the path of progress through education. Learning has no limits in this country which is dedicated to providing education that will open the minds of people and let a million ideas bloom.
So, the question is: will journalists and writers live up to the expectations of the people and become part of progress?
malzarooni@khaleejtimes.com