Indonesia Needs Prophetic Journalism: Parni Hadi

Jakarta (Antara) - Prophetic journalism is needed in Indonesia and other parts of the world amid the freedom of expression, which has almost no limits, thanks to the information technological progress, stated senior journalist Parni Hadi. Prophetic journalism is a control from within, based on whatever religious faith that could deal with the freedom of expression's negative impacts such as pornography, drugs abuse and terrorism, he emphasized, here on Tuesday. "Prophetic journalists work with physical strength, intellectual and social intelligence, as well as spiritual intelligence," he explained. Parni, former President Director of Antara news Agency and the Radio of the Republic of Indonesia (RRI), launched his book titled, "Prophetic Journalism" in Jakarta on Sunday (March 30). The book launch event was attended by around 150 people including veteran female journalist Herawati Diah (96). He wrote the book based on his contemplation and struggle of thought since he started his career as a journalist in 1973. "To be a journalist is 'ibadah' (total submission to God)," Parni, 65, pointed out. He believed that the manifestation of religious teaching is love, and therefore, prophetic journalism is identical to love. Besides that, prophetic journalism encourages something beyond call of journalism, namely doing something useful for the public through civic mission, according to Parni Hadi, who had been Antara's bureau chief in Hamburg, Germany, for seven years in 1980s. He is also founder, Dompet Dhuafa Alms Management Organization, and was Secretary General of the Indonesian Journalists' Association (PWI) and the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA). When speaking in the 2nd International Conference on Islamic Media in Jakarta, December 2011, Parni asserted that Muslim journalists needed to actuate prophetic journalism by means of practicing the four excellent traits of the Prophet Muhammad, namely siddiq (revealing the truth), Tabligh (disseminating truth in educative ways), Amanah (reliable) and Fathonah (wise). "By reflecting the Prophet`s four character traits, journalists and content providers will show dignity, devotion, tolerance, mutual understanding, mutual respect, non violence and tender loving care in their reports, features and commentaries," Parni rationalized. (*)