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International conflict and acts of terror committed in the name of religion can only be resolved if viewed from a realistic prospective. These issues are complex, multilayered conundrum which need be addressed layer by layer and issue by issue. Disagreements must be defined and effective solutions executed prior to moving on to the next. Pave the Way Foundation champions the role of responsible media however also recognizes, unfortunately, the media's role as a device used to fuel controversy. As we face the violence of terrorism and effects of extremism, media outlets must realize the role they play in these events and become part of a solution rather than adding to the problem. Individuals cannot hope to be omniscient. Through The traditional sources we have relied upon have been print, broadcast and now most recently the Internet however we are made aware and the pieces of the world puzzle come together in an intricate fabric of comprehension. This model is also at risk. As we see media moguls gobbling up the competition, we need to step back and take a careful look at the job they are doing. Rightfully so, as free people, we hold sacred the right of freedom of the press. Seeing what is happening today, however one must question how some appear to be using this right as a shield against criticism when held accountable for the delivery of misleading, factually inaccurate information or lies. We have right to demand accuracy, balance and some positive content in reporting. When reading the morning paper or watching the eleven o’clock news we are struck with the negativity and horrors which are presented. Robberies, murders, celebrity arrests, rape, fires, explosions and the like do nothing to enhance our well being or teach us anything. Sensationalism is simply a report card of human stupidity, which showcases the level of depravity whose bottom limits are constantly pushed lower and lower. Fortunately, there are many fine, high-quality media industry leaders who do make an effort to positively disseminate information. They are however, the exception rather than the rule. We are all children of the world and much like our own children, humanity learns by example. If continually bombarded by the worst the world has to offer there is little hope for us to become more than that which we are presented to emulate. The dangers of negative reporting and biased, unbalanced reporting must be confronted. When the daily reporting of news lacks balanced positive content, accuracy or context we are being lied to. The propagandists who control these outlets employ shock and controversy to mold opinion and influence decision making to align with their personal agenda. When intelligent people are given information from supposedly trusted sources, we logically arrive at conclusions which are wrong, founded in hatred, bigotry and violence. The public’s primitive appetite for violence and depraved behavior is so ingrained that an industry wide change in reporting would be required to succeed. We collectively allow ourselves and our families to be exposed to this assault without objection. By innuendo or a suggestion of impropriety, a person’s entire life, reputation and career can be ruined by one headline. Politicians, community and religious leaders seem, not imprudently, to fear the media’s wrath. Unfortunately, the apology or retraction never seems to get the same exposure as the accusation. Through our work with Pave the Way Foundation we have seen first-hand how the Muslim community has repeatedly tried to speak out against those whose acts of violence have defiled their religion. Islamist’s public statements against violence however do not get reported leaving the world to asking “why haven’t the Muslims spoken up?” when in fact they have, do and continue to work for peace. Similarly there are multiple examples of this kind of reporting and photo coverage on every front of every conflict. Many reports are simply biased and photos have been doctored to sway the reading public in a desired direction. There are dozens of internet entities that do nothing but point out media distortions. For every reported act of violence or negativity, billions of positive actions remain unreported. Acts of volunteerism, kindness and charity noted across the globe are ignored by the news media. Positive stories will also sell papers because people feel good when they read of acts of kindness and goodwill. Positive stories will go a long way towards improving our quality of life through volunteerism and by setting examples of how positive thinking and acts of kindness can change the course of history. Our work with Pave the Way Foundation seeks to eliminate, through positive gestures, sources of friction and obstacles between religions and to encourage religious leaders to work with their governments to end the use of religion to achieve private agendas. Only the religious leaders can meaningfully respond to religious zealots. Greet each other with Shalom and Salaam; pray for peace; let us gather the courage to really diagnose the problem and take concrete steps to really achieve peace through action. If we don’t speak up and try to effect change, if we don’t recognize this “loose cannon” in our lives, all of the trappings of wealth, which we seem to devote our lives to acquire, will be dust in a chain reaction of destruction. We need the media industry to be part of the solution rather than exacerbating the problem and to recognize that it has a moral obligation to become part of the team to work towards global peace. PTWF is a nonsectarian foundation whose mission is to identify and work to resolve non-theological obstacles between religions through the trust garnered from our work to initiate historic gestures between the faiths “paving the way” to removing the use of religion as a tool to justify private agendas and violence.
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