Reporters discussed whether they should take a proactive anti-terrorist stance or remain neutral.
The role of the press in fostering moderate Islam and combating terrorism was the focus of a recent forum in Nouakchott.
"The press must be recruited to help popularise the true concepts of Islam," said Mohamed Salem Ould Dah, director of the Arab-African Centre for Information and Development.
"The media play a fundamental role in the modern world," added Ould Dah, whose organisation held the August 25th meeting in partnership with the Islamic Affairs Ministry.
According to Ahmed Salem Ould Hamma Khattar, the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, the goal was "to deal with the tarnished image of Islam" and "combat terrorism and extremism".
The event brought together "elite speakers, researchers and ulemas" to shed light on the subject.
Among the participants was Mauritanian Union of Journalists (SJM) chief Houssein Ould Medou, who gave a presentation named "The Media: Between Moderation and Extremism". Scholar Sidi Mohamed Ould Jiyid spoke about the role of the elites in battling radicalism.
The reactions of journalists who spoke to Magharebia underlined the sensitive nature of the issue.
"Extremist views are reflected in the Mauritanian press," Khalilou Diagana, editor-in-chief of Le Quotidien de Nouakchott, told Magharebia. "In my view, a journalist must never express sympathy with a terrorist. In Mauritania, some publications express outrage over attacks carried out in Mauritania but show understanding towards terrorists who carry out attacks elsewhere."
"A terrorist such as [Khadim] Ould Semane, the head of the Mauritanian branch of AQIM, is portrayed as a hero by some publications," he added. "This is why his letters and speeches from prison are widely reported. This is dangerous and very harmful to young people."
According to weekly La Tribune editor-in-chief Othman, "the press should adopt a secular stance so that it can meet ethical standards".
"Unfortunately, in Mauritania, we find that most newspapers and other sites help to promote extremist views, to the point where some terrorists become heroes in their eyes," he added. "Based on the fact that Mauritania is an Islamic country but wants to promote freedom of expression, it is important for its press to be responsible. But you can't be responsible if ideology in general and religious views in particular take precedence over the need for professionalism."
M'Rabih, from the Agence Nouakchott d'Information, disagreed, saying that the press must refrain from adopting a stance and "remain independent".
"It should merely report facts objectively," he said. "Terrorism is a harmful phenomenon, but those who practice it are not regarded as terrorists."
"The press should stay in the middle by not helping terrorists and not allowing itself to be used by the state security services," the journalist said. "If statements made by terrorists must be published, they should not be commented on with a view to spreading propaganda."
© Magharebia.com 2011
