Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
Journalism and government jobs are halal in Islam if practiced ethically. A Muslim must promote truth, justice, and honesty through their work, avoiding corruption, falsehood, or oppression. When done sincerely for the sake of Allah and humanity, such careers bring great reward.
Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
Is Journalism or a Government Job Halal in Islam?
Journalism is a beneficial and promising career; however, like any career, one may practice it ethically or unethically. So, if you intend to use your profession to promote the cause of truth, justice, and righteousness, you can hope for enormous rewards and blessings from Allah.
If, however, you use it to promote corruption, oppression, and injustice, you will face the wrath of Allah.
The Moral Responsibility of Journalists in Islam
As Martin Luther King, Jr. eloquently expressed the consequences of silence in the face of injustice when he said, “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people”.
He reminds us that our silence can perpetuate suffering and allow wrongdoing to persist. Remaining silent in the presence of evil is itself an immoral act.
That is why Islam teaches us that we have a responsibility to speak the truth and struggle against injustice. Allah says, {O you who believe, stand firm for justice as witnesses for Allah, even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or close relatives. Be they rich or poor, Allah is best to ensure their interests. So do not let your desires cause you to deviate from justice˺. If you distort the testimony or refuse to give it, then know that Allah is certainly All-Aware of what you do.} (An-Nisa’ 4:135)
The Power and Influence of the Media in Islam
No one can underestimate the power of the media.
Malcolm X eloquently expressed the influence of the media when he said, “The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses.”
Through this statement, he wants to raise awareness of the immense impact of the media on shaping public perception, constructing narratives, and influencing collective consciousness.
Therefore, as a believer in the divine mandate to expose the truth and fight injustice, your journalism career is a most rewarding profession; your rewards are akin to true Mujahids or warriors.
So, I urge you to pursue journalism with the intention of serving humanity and thus pleasing Allah. Go ahead, and don’t look back.
May Allah bless you to excel in your chosen career and make it beneficial for humanity.
👉 Explore more Islamic rulings on careers and media:
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- Is Social Media Income Halal?
- Can Muslim Women Work in Media?
- Is It Halal to Earn Money from Social Media?
- Can You Seek Marriage through Social Media?
- Circulating Jokes that Mock Religion on Social Media: Allowed?
Almighty Allah knows best.