Faith and the Fourth Estate: How Religious Communities and Journalists Can Collaborate to Uplift Marginalized Voices and Promote Justice — The Case of Morocco
Abstract:
This article examines the potential collaboration between religious communities and journalists in uplifting marginalized voices and promoting social justice, with a specific focus on the Moroccan context. The study’s primary objectives are to (1) explore the shared ethical foundations between religion and journalism, (2) identify mechanisms of collaboration that enhance inclusion and public accountability, and (3) illustrate how such partnerships can transform media narratives in Morocco. Methodologically, the paper employs a qualitative, interpretive approach that combines discourse analysis of Moroccan media ethics debates with case studies of faith-based organizations engaged in humanitarian and social advocacy. Drawing on academic literature in media ethics, religious studies, and sociology, the analysis reveals that both institutions share a moral vocation toward truth and justice. The findings highlight that effective collaboration can be achieved through joint storytelling initiatives, media–faith literacy programs, and advocacy partnerships rooted in compassion and civic responsibility. The Moroccan experience demonstrates that when religious and media actors cooperate, they can strengthen ethical journalism, counter stereotypes, and foster a culture of dignity and solidarity. The article concludes that this intersection between faith and the fourth estate represents a vital pathway toward justice-oriented communication in the contemporary Arab world.
KeyWords:
religion and media, Morocco, journalism ethics, marginalized voices, social justice, interfaith collaboration, media literacy.
References:
- Aitamurto, Kaarina, and Scott Radnitz, editors. Mediatized Religion in the Digital Age: Critical Perspectives. Routledge, 2022.
- Al-Khalidi, Huda. “Ethical Challenges in Arab Journalism: Between Faith, Objectivity, and Social Responsibility.” Arab Media and Society, vol. 30, 2020, pp. 1–15.
- Bhabha, Homi K. The Location of Culture. Routledge, 1994.
- Christians, Clifford G. Media Ethics and Global Justice in the Digital Age. Cambridge University Press, 2019.
- Christians, Clifford G. “Moral Journalism and Human Dignity.” Journal of Mass Media Ethics, vol. 24, no. 1, 2009, pp. 3–14.
- Fairclough, Norman. Critical Discourse Analysis: The Critical Study of Language. 2nd ed., Routledge, 2010.
- Habermas, Jürgen. Religion in the Public Sphere. Translated by Ciaran Cronin, Polity Press, 2006.
- Hoover, Stewart M. Religion in the Media Age. Routledge, 2006.
- Hoover, Stewart M., and Knut Lundby, editors. Routledge Handbook of Religion and Media. Routledge, 2012.
- Karim, Karim H. Islamic Peril: Media and Global Violence. Black Rose Books, 2003.
- Nisbet, Erik C. “Framing, Media Effects, and the Dynamics of Political Communication in the Arab World.” International Journal of Communication, vol. 14, 2020, pp. 2314–2336.
- Rane, Halim. “Media, Islam, and Justice: Towards Ethical Reporting in Muslim Contexts.” Journal of Media and Religion, vol. 17, no. 3, 2018, pp. 100–115.
- Salvatore, Armando, and Dale F. Eickelman. Public Islam and the Common Good. Brill, 2004.
- Sreberny, Annabelle, and Gholam Khiabany. Blogistan: The Internet and Politics in Iran. I.B. Tauris, 2010.
- Zayani, Mohamed, and Sofia Sabra. Digital Middle East: State and Society in the Information Age. Oxford University Press, 2018.