Ethical Considerations in Interviewing Terrorists

Context:

• Journalists and governments face an ethical dilemma in deciding whether to interview terrorists, as seen in the Indian media’s engagement with Taliban leaders despite India seeking them for attacks against Indian personnel.

What are the concerns associated with interviewing terrorists?

• Platform for spreading extremist views: Sometimes the interview of journalists is seen as legitimisation of extremist views of journalists as well as providing a platform to the terrorists for spreading radical thoughts.
  • Example-Media has been criticised for potentially legitimising extremist views by taking interview of Taliban leaders.
• Risk of perpetuating biases or misconceptions: The media has the capability to mould the opinion as per its whims and fancies. Thus, risk of creating biases. 
  • For example, media’s portrayal of the Rohingya crisis.
• Threat of Secessionist ideologies: News outlets have on occasion featured interviews with leaders advocating for Kashmiri separatism.
  • Ex- Bitta Karate interview with Newstrack in which he admitted to killing Kashmiri Pandits.
• Right to a fair trial: Media has the power to shape public opinion, potentially endangering an individual’s right to a fair trial.

What are the arguments in favour of interviewing terrorists?

• Truth: Interview with terrorists offers insights into the mind of a terrorist as well as the reasons behind their acts.
• Fairness: The insights into the truth might help in framing rights policies and strategies in order to deal with them.
• Empathy: The interaction of the terrorists with the media will reveal the reasons behind the growth of such acts and will generate public sympathy towards them.
• Awareness: The interviews will bring the truth of terrorist and radical acts taking place in front of the general public.
• Independence: Media works independently of the government ensure to the reveal the facts in an impartial manner.

News Source: The Hindu