Activism, Europe

A New Journalistic Low in Denmark

On Wednesday, 13.1.2016, one could read about a spectacular case on tv2.dk, in which a Danish girl of only 15 years was arrested for, among other things, being in possession of explosives.

Besides information that both the police and PET (police intelligence service) refuse to comment on, TV2 also wrote, that the girl’s Facebook profile, of which she has several, shows that “… she is a member of a [Facebook] group for Danish members of the Islamic organization Hizb ut-Tahrir”.

Now, that TV2 has chosen to spread this “information” in the very first article on this case, which was later referenced by both domestic and foreign media, we find it necessary to point out the following:

As an Islamic political party working only with ideas, we administer both webpages and Facebook-pages, on which we share and discuss our ideas and views. We do not keep control of who follows or “likes” our pages, because the messages are general and aimed at anyone – Muslim as well as non-Muslim – who wishes to have insight. Our pages and profiles are followed by several thousand people with different backgrounds, and naturally we cannot be held accountable for their individual actions.

It is well known, even among our critics, that our work relies solely on ideas and that acts of violence have no place in this work. Thus, the pressing question is: Why are there constant attempts to link Hizb ut Tahrir to individuals, who are accused of committing or supporting violent acts?

One explanation is that our tireless work according to a firm methodology is a source of frustration in certain circles, not least among the media and politicians whom we have often unveiled and criticized. Their powerlessness in this matter is clear and their feeble attempts to thwart us only bring them from one low to another.

Dear TV2 and other Danish media: Although you might feel frustrated and powerless towards us and others, who refuse to dance to your tune, you should try to retain some small measure of objectivity and integrity – out of respect for your profession, if nothing else.

 

Junes Kock

Media Representative of Hizb ut Tahrir in Scandinavia

Saturday, 06th Rabii’ II 1437 AH

16/01/2016 CE

No.: 01/16