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The Deep Moral Hollow of Journalism:And Reading the Runes of their Empathy Deficit.

Abdusamaad (Sam) Karani[1]

Iqbal Jassat (2024)[2] recently critiqued Willem Els’s poor journalism, who was a guest on “The Overdrive Program”[3] in South Africa and the complicit hosting of the program itself. Jassat’s remarks highlight their complete disregard for the principles of journalism (if they can dutifully claim to follow the craft of Journalism). Their behaviour reflects a deep moral hollow, and Jassat finds it easy to read the runes of their disreputable misconduct under the pretense of journalism.

Unfortunately, this type of journalism and its empathy deficit was unleashed by Bush’s “War on Terror” and since. It has been well recorded the Western media’s despicable, unforgivable role in supporting mistruths (looking for secret weapons of terror in Iraq) and the invocation of the “either you are with us or against us” mindset.  The Western media and the like did not need a second invitation to support the resulting killing of hundreds of thousands of innocent people (and scores of children.)

This type of journalism that supports the killing fields of innocent people and the Gaza genocide (and now many terms it a holocaust) was alluded to by Karani (2023)[4] and details the dynamics of their support of the killings in Palestine.

Coincidentally, and almost in virtual time, a credible journalist (Kennard), such as Jassat, was awarded the responsible journalism award (on Saturday, November 16th, 2024) in London (England)[5] – the journalist and author stated that “…Gaza has changed the world – It exposed all pro-genocide governments around the world. But the freedom and justice-loving people in their millions are with Palestine.”

Below follows a brief review of what Els (2024)[6] said as his take on journalism reporting on Muslim children in Madressah’s, the eager complicit host Michael McKenna, followed by Jassat’s expose of Els, and finally, McKenna again:

Willem Els:

Els described the worldwide reaction of terrorism and its rise in Africa, especially in Sahal, North of Mozambique, the support for ISIS and Al Qaeda—the burning of villages and schools and the victimization of Christians. South Africa is responsible for money laundering and grey-listed and not being police. Moreover, the radicalization of children in Madressah’s of children as young as 9 years (and to be groomed as freedom fighters or “terrorists”. All of this is “our biggest concern.”

Questions for Els: Who is he representing, and who is “us” or “our”? And frightening to whom? And is he blatantly fear-mongering? Moreover, Southern Africa and the Sahel are becoming terror hubs. Is this how an “expert” on terrorism talks by fearmongering?

Iqbal Jassat:

Dutifully to the “Wretched of The Earth,”[7]  Jassat (2024)[8] exposed and displayed responsible journalism by indicating that Els (The Institute of Security Studies), in an alarmist fashion, failed to reflect any objective interrogation (questioning) of untested and unverified Islamophobic claims. Jassat rightfully stated that basic journalistic practice should have been applied to test the veracity of the outrageous allegations which implicate Muslims (in general.) Moreover, Els made startling allegations that will give rise to undue fear of Muslims and Islam. Furthermore, children as young as 11 were being radicalized in South Africa (for terrorism.) Els’ spurious claims succeed in reflecting contempt of common sense and by lacking substance, “…it is insulting to the intelligence of his audience.” Unfortunately, Els’ war on terror extends to the dangerous Islamophobic route, which is unhidden. 

Jassat (2024)[9] insists these wild, irresponsible, unsubstantiated claims fit a deliberate pattern. More specifically, “It evokes painful memories of the destructive wars in Muslim countries spurred by the US-led “War on Terror. (And) The narrative constructed by George W Bush and his neocon thugs to justify invasions and the orgy of killings centred on selective choice of emotive words.” 

Kennard, Mat:

Kennard (2024)[10], a journalist and author stated that “…Gaza has changed the world – It exposed all pro-genocide governments around the world. But the freedom and justice-loving people in their millions are with Palestine.”

Adding as the writer to Kennard’s statement would be spurious.

Summary

Perhaps Els and the likes should subject themselves to a truth serum (if one exists) to clean their souls of the deep moral hollow that has diseased them. Moreover, have they ever seen or witnessed a Madressah in their lifetime? Moreover, there is no harm in educating yourself, Els! According to Karani (2023)[11], this final point is important to decolonize your mind and free yourself from your rat status.

[1] Abdusamaad (Sam) Karani: www.samkarani.com. Author “The Rats Had Never Left”. Conquering Colonists & Systemic Racism. Decolonize Your Mind.

[2] Jassat, I (2024): “Islamophobic Conspiracies by Willem Els: A Fallback to America’s ‘War On Terror.’  https://mediareviewnet.com/2024/11/islamophobic-conspiracies-by-willem-els-a-fallback-to-americas-war-on-terror/

[3] “The Overdrive Program” (2024): https://www.chaifm.com/podcast/2024-06-26-how-is-south-africa-mitigating-its-risk-of-becoming-a-terror-hub-for-islamic-states-willem-els-senior-training-coordinator-on-terrorism-and-explosives-at-the-transnational-threats-and/

[4]  Abdusamaad (Sam) Karani: “Genocide 2023” – Israel: Greatest Modern-Day Genocidaire. Palestinian Genocide is Evil Personified. https://mediareviewnet.com/2024/03/abdusamaad-sam-karani-genocide-2023-israel-greatest-modern-day-genocidaire-palestinian-genocide-is-evil-personified/

[5]Kennard, M. (2024): “Event For Occupied Palestine” (2024): https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCcvejSIA1Q/

https://t.me/MiddleEastEye_TG/10377

[6] “The Overdrive Program” (2024): https://www.chaifm.com/podcast/2024-06-26-how-is-south-africa-mitigating-its-risk-of-becoming-a-terror-hub-for-islamic-states-willem-els-senior-training-coordinator-on-terrorism-and-explosives-at-the-transnational-threats-and/

[7] Fanon, F. (1952/4): “The Wretched of the Earth.”  Grove Press. New York

[8] Jassat, I (2024): “Islamophobic Conspiracies by Willem Els: A Fallback to America’s ‘War On Terror.’  https://mediareviewnet.com/2024/11/islamophobic-conspiracies-by-willem-els-a-fallback-to-americas-war-on-terror/

[9] Ibid

[10] Kennard, M. (2024): “Event For Occupied Palestine”. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCcvejSIA1Q/

https://t.me/MiddleEastEye_TG/10377

[11] Abdusamaad (Sam) Karani (2023): www.samkarani.com. Author “The Rats Had Never Left. Conquering Colonists & Systemic Racism. Decolonize Your Mind.” Friesen Press. Canada.

About the Author


​Abdusamaad (Sam) Karani grew up in Apartheid South Africa, and still carries painful lived experiences with him today. He advocates for individual and collective advocacy as the way forward in the multigenerational process to end systemic racism. He has dedicated his life to advocacy at great personal cost, fighting against social Darwinism and eugenics in the disciplines of psychology and mental health. His advocacy has contributed to political change in society.

​A trained clinical psychologist in South Africa, Karani was a Professor and Head of the Department of Medical Psychology (Medunsa University) prior to emigrating to Canada. A philatelist who also has an extensive collection of books, Karani has studied Sufism and served in many professional associations. He has also been a cricket, soccer, tennis, and table tennis player and has been involved in the administration of the same.

Karani is retired and lives in Ontario, Canada

SAM KARANI
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