As Americans, we are protected by the Constitution and its amendments in a way that no other country in the world can equal. Freedom of the press and freedom of speech are inalienable rights that our society has guarded fiercely and that we hold as sacred. It is true that we are able to publish content as we please, but that is not to say this freedom is not without consequence.
To quote Uncle Ben from Marvel’s Spiderman: “With great power comes great responsibility.” When it comes to the media and the press, those words are especially fitting. The media, and all those who choose to exercise their freedom of speech, have a duty to always keep in mind that anything one publishes is irrevocably out there, open to public scrutiny and consumption. The press is a powerful entity, and because of this, those who are involved with it must remember that the way in which they approach the stories they seek to tell can influence events as they progress.
In most cases, those tasked with the responsibility to inform the public act as bearers of truth and do so in a responsible manner; they seek to promote public knowledge free of malicious intent or personal bias. Still, there are others who seek to disrupt the delivery of reliable information to the public with their fighting words and agendas. Moreover, there are those who seek to inform and find that their attempts to enlighten the public bring about consequences they could never have predicted.
Recently, a few private citizens produced a video ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad and published a short trailer on YouTube. The film was originally aired in its entirety at a small theater in Hollywood in June. It was eventually cut down to a two- minute trailer and dubbed in Arabic before being aired in some Islamic countries. This, in turn, sparked unrest and violence in the Middle East. The producers of the film were fully within their rights as Americans to voice their opinions and to use a media outlet to do so.
However, not everyone experiences the same freedoms that we do in the United States. Even though our government protects our rights, the same cannot be said for other nations — especially those in the unstable Middle East. These conflicting standards are most likely a reason for the violent reactions to the video.
The individuals who created the YouTube film were well within their rights, but that does not mean they are free from consequence. The riots, that may have been partly provoked by the video, killed several Americans — including an American ambassador, which further destabilized the region. While this is an example of an exercise of free speech, it is important to consider the repercussions of the message being put forth to the world.
This is a starkly different approach than relaying information objectively, which does not often incite aggressive retaliation. Fact-based reporting dispels rumors and advances a conversation, even if it is unpopular. Informed opinions can do much the same thing. As members of the media, it is our duty to ensure that when we present controversial material, we do so in a way that does not provoke or harass, but rather informs and enlightens.
This by no means says that the media should refrain from covering the stories that are perceived as highly controversial. Unpopular opinions or facts must be brought into the public forum. This is not irresponsible, nor is it bullying.
We seek to spark discussion and bring awareness to those matters that some may find taboo, yet it is imperative that thought be put into the process. We cannot shy away from topics that cause debate, but we must always be aware of the manner in which we relay information. Though the First Amendment protects speech, it is important to see that, even though something may be protected, responsibility should govern as well.
Nevertheless, the public cannot be so narrow-minded that it tries to prevent the publication of truth found to be insulting. While slander, libel and defamation are unacceptable, not every story will bring joy to the reader. The goal of the media is not to harm or to delight the reader, but rather to give the public the necessary information to form opinions and make judgments based upon truth, for truth in the end is the goal we strive to obtain.