The Urgency of Tabbayun in the Post-Truth Era

Exploratory Essay by :
• Dhilal Ahmad Sobarudin
• Euis Nurhalimah
• Eulis Teti Nurhayati
• Rika Ramadha Fashya
Class : 2B

The Urgency of Tabbayun in the Post-Truth Era

    Post-truth if analogous is an artificial extreme weather covering various regions all over the earth, but it does not produce storms, rain or lightning but hoaxes, expressions of hatred, slander, manipulation and even an ideology in which the product is taken for granted by people - people without going through fact check or tabbayun. In the context of plurality, the potential for polarization and conflict is wide open, especially when associated with the current situation involving political entities, interests, communities, ideology, economics, primordialism, and other sociological contexts [1].

    The Oxford Dictionary makes the term 'post-truth' the word of the year in 2016. Oxford defines post-truth as something related to circumstances where objective truth is less influential in RESPONSE - DECEMBER 2018 Responses 23 (2018) 02 174 forms public opinion compared to the persuasion of emotions and personal beliefs (Wang, 2016) [2]. The development of extreme weather nicknamed post-truth is inseparable from communication activities which are inseparable from human life. Through communication one builds confidence to emotion to others. Especially in the era of digitization like now the confusion of information is raging. So that tabbayun taught in Islam is very important and fundamental to go beyond post-truth.

Tabbayun in Journalism 

  The existence of post-truth in this century cannot be separated from the role of journalism, especially the cyber media which continues to develop radically. At present information or news is increasingly referring to a complexity in which the truth and the untruth have been difficult to distinguish. So for some people, the information is taken for granted by prioritizing its objectivity and ignoring the loss that can result from the information.

  Nowadays people can easily become a  journalist by using their social media tools, in the world of journalism (journalist's code of ethics), said the tabbayun included in the words' produce accurate news', 'always test information' and 'not broadcast news based on prejudice '[3]. Because at this time everyone can easily become a journalist, the attitude of tabbayun becomes very important to become a moral and ethical foundation in journalism that needs to be internalized and revitalized by everyone in broadcasting information.

Tabbayun in Politics

    A situation similar to that depicted in this post-truth occurred in 40 Hijri during the Shiffin war which caused the Muslims to be torn apart by several groups: Shiite, Khawarij, Muawiyah and Jumhur Faction. Under the pretext of group justification, each of them seeks to strengthen and support their political stance with different verses of the Qur'an and the Hadith interpreted. 

    Meanwhile, the recent 'Cebong & Kampret' event covered the archipelago, which was encouraged because there was no Tabbayun attitude in the community. Tabbayun in this case is becoming increasingly urgent to be carried out by everyone, especially those who are fanatical in political probelamatika so that they can filter the information that is spread. In addition, freedom of the press can also be actualized well not only as freedom of opinion but also that opinion can be justified in the world and the hereafter.

Tabbayun in Social Relationship

    In social activities such as communication with friends, discussions at school and seminar activities, Tabbayun remains attached to it. Moreover, towards the election season the topic of conversation changed from a family problem to a political problem. In addition, in the world of trade, post-truth symptoms often occur such as price manipulation or description of goods. This can eventually produce hatred and strife. Tabbayun is the most ideal solution in counteracting the post truth symptoms that occur in social relations, this does not mean that one must always doubt others but rather to create a life that is full of responsibility. Tabbayun invites people to selectively sort out information and keep away from disputes.

    Through Tabbayun, every activity ranging from politics to the activities that are usually done by everyone can anticipate defamation, polarization to dissension. In this era termed as post-truth, Tabbayun has become more fundamental for everyone to implement. The urgency of the Tabbayun is further strengthened by recent events, one of which is 'cebong & kampret'[4] which until now is still raging on social media. So that tabbayun is the ideal solution that is mandatory to be implemented and the values contained therein are good for everyone.

References

[1] Subtiako, Henry dan Rachmah Ida. 2012. Komunikasi, politik, media, & Demokrasi.Jakarta: Kencana Prenada Group. Rescher, N. (1995). Pluralism against Th e Demand for Consensus . New York: Oxford University Press

[2] Wang, A. B. (2016, November 16). Retrieved from Th e Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/11/16/post-truth-named2016-word-of-the￾year-by-oxford-dictionaries/?noredirect=on&utm_term=. a6b57231c70d

[3] Barus Sedia Willing. 2010. Jurnalistik: Petunjuk Teknis Menulis Berita. Jakarta: Erlangga. 

[4] Wikipedia. 2019. Cebong Retrieved From Wikipedia: 

https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cebong