How many of us logon on a daily basis to the various social media accounts we have subscribed to, on the many interactive online platforms scattered across the internet? For one, you are already a confirmed buff by your reading this write up. This is because there is no way you could be appraising this piece, except through one of the following accounts; your Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Telegram, Google+ etc. Of course your emails, blogs, websites and other internet supporting e-friendship facilities could be serving to feed your indulgence. Let us not forget the old, traditional media, that is still there for us.
There are those who come with this notion that when they see or read anything presented on social media and find the contents therein doubtful, instead of doing the needful i.e. go and verify the authenticity of the submission or otherwise, they would say "The burden of investigation and confirmation lies not on me, but whoever makes the submission. As the popular philosophical maxim goes 'He who asserts must prove'". Thinking that is being swerve, smart and cool. Well, actually it is not. It just goes to confirm that the responder is one of those typical lazy Nigerian youths most of them are.
To that remark I'm often want to ask "Says who?" Yes, I know that famous saying about "The Burden Of Proof" thing by Aristotle, which not only I, but many others find at variance with our understanding, logic and "skewed" reasoning. For if we are to abide by that phrase, then investigative journalism as we know it will cease to exist. And the truth will forever, never be made manifest. Unless one checks to verify by oneself or commissions same to be pursued for him or her by others, the source of the information being challenged might continuously return with the same result, if he or she should be saddled with the burden of proving the truth of the matter.
Besides, outcome of these burden of proof can easily and readily be denied or rejected again and again by the one who cast the doubt in the first instance, most especially if mischief is the hidden motive. So either way, it is best to take it upon oneself to prove the authenticity of the claims or assertions found in the information tendered. Is it True or not? And this, is the wisest way to go about it, which goes in tandem with how God Stipulates it in the Holy Qur'an thus:
O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful. (Quran 49:6)
So, for any to say they will leave the burden of proof on the person disseminating the information, this is simply a call for trouble, that could lead to nothing, but chaos. And how often have we been subjected to false news, red flags and hate speeches, which we often take at face value without investigating, believing it hook, line and sinker, endorsing or approving certain measures to be taken, or even take drastic actions ourselves, only to discover to our utmost regret that we were deliberately misinformed, deceived and wronged, thereby making us to act wrong.
This is now our latest predicament; the advent of new media as a means of communication, which is making it easier, faster and cheaper to distribute high volume of quality digital data to all and sundry, anywhere in the world. Most especially with the coming of social media, that has not only empowered many, but has also transformed ordinary citizens on the street through possession of smart phones and other handheld communication devices into pseudo "journalists" with the capacity and capability of sharing information about anything or anyone, be it the truth or falsehood, without the conventional gate-keeping, checks or balances obtainable in the old media tradition.
The burden of proof should not be upon the person who posted the writing in question, as he or she might not be interested in proving his or her case, which may be utter fabrications by its origin and intent. But it should be upon you, the receiver of the information as soundly advised in the above spiritual chapter and verse of the holy scripture. INVESTIGATE IT YOURSELF, BEFORE BELIEVING IT! But where any choose to act contrary to this injunction, and there are many who would and are doing that, one will find on their parts harming of people and injustice visited upon the innocent and blame free.
End.
*** For more of stuffs like this, do join us on your favorite radio program DO NOT BE SAD. Yes, it is back on air. On a spiritual tip as usual, after eleven (11) good years. The Islamic religious tinged radio program is revived due to popular, persistent and unrelenting demand on the part of its never-give-up loyal listeners. It will now be happening every Friday at 8:00 pm Nigerian Time (GMT +1) on Dala 88.5 FM, Kano - The Swag Station or Muryar Zamani, with me your original host Tijjani Muhammad Musa aka T2d'Jay!
DO NOT BE SAD, an inspirational, motivational radio production on a spiritual tip with Teejay is back On Air! You can listen to it from anywhere in the world via Tune-in Radio or RadioGarden.
Radio Program: DO NOT BE SAD... Because It Is Not Worth It
Topic This Week: SOCIAL MEDIA INFO: INVESTIGATE, VERIFY BEFORE YOU BELIEVE
Date: Fridays Only (No Repeat)
Time: 8:00 pm Nigerian Time (GMT +1)
Station: Dala 88.5 FM... The Swag Station or Muryar Zamani
Chief Host: Tijjani Muhammad Musa
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