The media enjoys a great deal of freedom, but should they be a conduit for racist language when it is expressed in a story?
Recently, Omrop Fryslân broadcast a report on TV news about an information meeting about the reception of residency holders in Oosterwolde. Things got heated at that meeting. Mayor Jack Werkman, who remained admirably calm, received a barrage of questions. Many feelings and fears among the residents of Ooststellingwerf.
But there are also shocking statements that should only be described as racist. I will not repeat it here. But it’s as if we were watching a movie about segregation or racial segregation in the southern states of the United States. “This is a great shame, because in the end you want to provide these people with a safe place so they can make a new start from here and build a life in our neighborhood,” the mayor said in his response.
A channel for racism
The question now is whether Omroop should simply spew this racist language. The media is free in this country, but it must ask itself whether it should be a conduit for racism. Many people, including journalists, are concerned about polarization in our country. People mainly point to the role that social media plays in this. Moderators on Twitter and Facebook are busy removing rude, violent, and disrespectful posts. It is strange that the broadcaster used completely disrespectful and racist language in the news.
The fundamental right to freedom of expression (VvMU) is a great asset, but nowadays it has been elevated to an irrefutable doctrine. Especially through social media, where people, whether anonymous or not, have arrogated the right to throw everything into the media. However, VvMU is not just a right, it also involves an obligation. “You can say anything, but you don’t have to,” said the father of murdered director Theo van Gogh.
The power and power of the word
Publicist Mounir Samuel wrote earlier this year You are also not allowed to say anything anymore. A new language for a new time . It clearly explains the relationship between language and structural racism. “This book shows how language is the basis of systematic exclusion, how it deprives, belittles, dehumanizes and creates truths,” Samuel says in his book. Interview with Frij Holland .
Words have power and strength. More than we think. “Words create facts,” says Samuel. “The Holocaust arose because of the demonization of Jews for centuries. Racism is possible because of deeply racist rhetoric. Homosexuality can only be considered a criminal offense because there was a word to describe it.
Samuel wants people to learn to think about what they say. Nelson Mandela said: “No one is born a racist, but if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love. Love is closer to the human heart than its opposite. Hatred can be fueled by language. It is an additional responsibility for the media to be aware of this.”
Harry Prince M Employee at Tomba, Discrimination Knowledge Center and diversity.
