Why our Perceptions of ‘Media’ Need Redefining and How to Widen our Content Repertoire

The recent spate of well-loved and long established social accounts being suspended indefinitely should be ringing alarm bells in our minds. Our favourite creators are being censored on the platforms where we once thought we had freedom of expression and it’s likely to continue to serve agendas set by the ones owning them.

The dictionary definition of media states it is a noun, a plural of medium – the means of communication, such as radio and television, newspapers, magazines, and the internet, that reach or influence people widely.

Publishing via social media, whether that’s on accounts, blogs or websites, needs to loosen the grip it has on us of being the best and only way to deliver a message. 

No doubt, social media itself has and still plays a huge role in getting news out fast, news we would never have seen of previous atrocities in years gone by. Long may it continue to serve this purpose whenever and wherever it’s needed, until we can go back to pictures of pretty brunches and golden hour holiday selfies.

But it’s time now, to level up our approach to media and be intentional about what we consume and how we support it. Remember, not all forms of activism are loud, there is value in the slow and quiet ways people show up too.

Creators like Subhi Taha won’t just lay down and die because their account has been deleted. They find alternative and creative ways to continue their work and it’s up to us to find and support them above and beyond the activism seen in social media spaces.

1. Subscribe

On alternative platforms, newsletters, anywhere you can put your email address down and sign up to something - do it. This costs nothing and helps the creator build an audience that they can speak to directly and continue delivering their work and their message. 

Consider: The Thinking Muslim is a long-form podcast series that invites a variety of expert guests for deep conversations on current affairs affecting the Muslim world.

2. Dig Deep

Where there is an opportunity to generate revenue for the creator, support them to support their work. Many of them are multi-skilled and have numerous projects on the go that contribute to the same goals. Buy them a virtual coffee, rep their merch, become a patreon. Intend for this to be a sadaqah jariah and you’ll both reap the rewards inshaAllah.

Consider: The Dar Collective is Subhi Taha’s brand offering creative clothing for third culture kids in the diaspora. 

3. Help them stay Independent

Respect the time creators put into producing media content, especially if it’s their livelihood. If audiences don’t generate revenue they often look for investment which comes with conditions and caveats that can compromise their work. Help them grow from the ground up, funded by the people who actually want the content.

Consider: Mehdi Hasan left MSNBC to found Zeteo, a multi-channel media platform unafraid to speak openly and with integrity. Sign up for updates or take out a paid subscription to get more content.

4. Support IRL Media Platforms

Not everything happens through a screen, and it’s time to search out meaningful connections in other mediums such as print, art, theatre and storytelling through community. 

Consider: Friday is a print-first media platform that’s dedicated to growing and serving our audience of visionary Muslim women in ways that will never compromise our values. We will write about and print the conversations we hold dear to our hearts and publish them independently without compromising on quality.

Originally posted on Instagram, follow the link to view comments and join the conversation.