The Islamic concept of Mass Media is not man-made. Therefore, it cannot be compared with other man-made concepts of Mass Media, which in fact are temporary It is impossible to encompass the Islamic concept by any man-made theory. Every concept whether it is Authoritarian, the libertarian or communist concept has certain drawbacks. And, also, as far as the freedom of the mass media in these societies is concerned, no society provides complete liberty. Every society imposes restrictions Our basic assumption appears to be common to all theories of the press, whether it is the theory of Tudors, or of the 18″ century as stated by Blackstone and Mansfield This assumption is, that freedom of the press is not and never can be absolute. All agree that some forms of restraint are necessary and that the government has a legitimate function as to the nature and number of these limitations.
In order to get the concept of media or freedom conditions or press in an Islamic state or society, various principles of Islamic state need clarification which deals with freedom, rights, and duties of individuals or groups in an Islamic society. There are:
- The constitution of the Islamic state shall guarantee Civil Liberties to all subjects. Non-Muslim religious minorities shall enjoy the right to decide their cases according to their own legal system (4:236).
- Only men of character and integrity shall be competent to make laws for the state after natural consultation based on the interpretation of the QURAN, the SUNNAH, and the views and pronouncements of learned and well known Muslims in the present and the past.
- Every deed of the Muslim individual or group of the individual must be inspired and guided by the law of God (2:130).
- Although the ruler is appointed by the people his first Responsibility is to God, then to the people. He has a dual responsibility; on one hand, he is accountable to God for his conduct and on the other, he is responsible to the people who have put their trust in him (2:134).
- Every citizen is enjoyed to offer his best advice on common matters and must be entitled to do so.
- In this way every citizen has an obligation, in one capacity or another, to fulfill and is deeply concerned directly or otherwise with the conduct of public affairs.
- Under the Islamic system, every citizen is entitled to enjoy the freedom of belief and conscience and freedom of thought and expression.
But his freedom is not, and cannot be, absolute, or else it amounts to chaos and anarchy (2:135). The Islamic State is unique in its structure, its function, and its purpose; consequently, the Islamic concept of press freedom has also to be a unique one. It is not pragmatic or instrumentalist