The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG), Ogun State Chapter, has appealed to media practitioners and opinion leaders to desist from spreading misinformation and disinformation about the Shari’ah Arbitration Panel in the South West.
Alhaji Kamal’deen Akintunde, Ogun State Coordinator of the MMWG, in a press statement on Monday expressed concern over the inaccurate reporting of the Shari’ah Arbitration Panel, which is being mistaken for a Shari’ah Court. He noted that this misconception has led to the spread of hate speech and inflammatory statements against Muslims.
The MMWG emphasized that the Shari’ah Arbitration Panel is a voluntary initiative that resolves personal matters among Muslims, and has successfully settled several matrimonial cases and personal conflicts. The group urged media practitioners to provide accurate and balanced information about Islamic issues.
The MMWG also advocated for education and training on religious reporting for journalism students, to enhance their understanding of diverse religions and prevent the spread of misinformation.
Furthermore, the group cautioned that it would document and report unethical practices by media organizations and their staff to regulatory bodies and consider legal action against erring media outlets.
The MMWG urged media practitioners and opinion leaders to promote cordial interfaith relations, mutual respect, and harmony, rather than perpetuating negative stereotypes and misinformation.