Long live life in the heart of war
Long live life in the heart of war
Today, war no longer only occurs on military fronts and classic battlefields. Alongside the explosion of missiles, the explosion of rumors, the invasion of fake news, and psychological bombardment are also taking place. Iran and Israel have entered an unprecedented conflict, but in the heart of this full-scale war, the role of media and cultural and social activists, if not more vital than missiles, is no less.
We are in the midst of a complex cognitive and psychological war, where every like, every repost, and every emotional image forms part of the combat arrangement of the parties involved.
The war of narratives: from bombs to distrust
In the current situation, official and unofficial Israeli media are trying to undermine public trust by highlighting civilian casualties, economic instability, and social crises in Iran, injecting fear, anger, and despair into Iranian society. In contrast, we need to rebuild a responsible and balanced chain of national narratives, narratives that, while telling the truth, uphold hope and human dignity.
The responsibility of media and cultural activists: Build calm, not unrest
In an emergency situation, everything becomes political and emotional, but this is where professionalism finds meaning. Instead of raw reposting of distressing images, media should turn to media policy based on collective mental health. Fear and despair should not be injected into society by exaggerating shortages of goods or publishing unofficial lists of the dead. Analyses must be responsible, precise, based on credible sources, and free from reactionary behavior. Media work in a crisis means maintaining professional integrity even under the peak of public pressure.
Citizen journalists and social networks create the scene of war
Today, millions of Iranians are media with their mobile phones. If citizen journalists are untrained and lack media literacy, they unwittingly play into the enemy’s psychological operations. Reposting rumors, such as security collapses, bank instability, or imminent attacks, beats the drum of fear. Reckless publication of images of corpses and scenes of destruction is not only unethical but part of the process of psychological collapse of society. It is necessary for social media users to see themselves on the frontline of media defense, not just passive observers.
Panic buying and amplifying fear: A case of internal psychological warfare
Reports have emerged of people rushing to buy essential items in border and central cities of Iran. In a crisis, every citizen should ask themselves whether their behavior contributes to collective calm or increases psychological pressure. Behaviors like mass buying, rushing to banks, gas stations, or spreading suspicious lists lead society into a psychological self-sanction.
Cultural, social, and religious activists: Heroes of alternative narratives
At a time when media politicization has left people in doubt, civil institutions, cultural activists, clergy, teachers, artists, and writers can raise the flag of ethical, humane, and hopeful narratives. Producing podcasts, notes, stories, and graphic content that keeps alive the sense of national cohesion, humanity, patriotism, and peace-seeking has a historical mission today. In conclusion, we the people, we the media workers, we cultural activists are the soft frontline of this land. In the heart of darkness, even a single candle can be seen. In the heart of war, let us be the voice of life: calm, honest, humane, and hopeful.
