When Israeli forces bombed a building housing international media outlets in Gaza earlier this month, we took notice because we need news, and it is these organisations – and others like them – that deliver it to us.
Besides news agencies, there are 'citizen journalists' who keep us informed. Thanks to social media and smartphones, there are plenty of citizen journalists, activists, influencers and celebrities on any platform.
This last month has brought up a debate: should influencers take a stand with regard to the news?
The violence in Palestine and Israel and the horrors Gazans faced over those 11 day led to marches across the world and also in part changed public opinion. But these events have also shed light on the relationship between influencers – including those whose platforms have little to do with current affairs or journalism – and their followers. Many influencers faced criticism, even abuse, from followers for not expressing their opinion about the conflict. Some were labelled "fakes", "sell-outs" and "puppets". Others were called "spineless", who were "in it only for the money".
A boy rides his bicycle amid the rubble of destroyed homes in Beit Hanoun, Gaza. Getty
Life resumes amid the rubble of destroyed homes in Beit Hanoun, Gaza. Getty
A Palestinian man tries to put his home back in order after Israeli air strikes on Beit Hanoun, Gaza. Getty
A Palestinian girl stands amid the rubble of her destroyed home in Beit Hanoun, Gaza. Getty
A Palestinian woman puts her house back in order after Israeli aerial raids over the past couple of weeks in Beit Hanoun, Gaza. Getty
Life resumes amid the rubble of destroyed homes in Beit Hanoun, Gaza. Getty
Palestinian children resume life amid the rubble of destroyed homes in Beit Hanoun, Gaza. Getty
Palestinians in Gaza city sit in a tent set up on top of the ruins of a building destroyed in Israeli air strikes. Getty
Palestinians sit in a tent that has been set up on top of the ruins of a building destroyed in recent Israeli air strikes, in Gaza city. AFP
A Palestinian child attends a rally in Gaza city amid the ruins of houses destroyed by Israeli strikes. AFP
I can understand people getting angry and frustrated while watching the live coverage of the unfolding tragedy in Gaza. Our instinct is to redress the injustice, the indignity and the oppression of innocent civilians, including children. But in the process, some people misdirected their anger at influencers, for not wielding their influence by saying something.
But how fair is it for us to expect even those influencers who have made a name by baking cakes, providing beauty tutorials and starring in soap operas, to give us their take on the news? Should they have to be involved in activism and discuss politics? Just because we helped make them famous for their cooking, we can't now expect them to speak about unrelated matters.
Some influencers did speak out. But those who did not, are we really going to hold them guilty of omission?
Influencers are important to a degree because they can shape opinions. And they can certainly put pressure on politicians and decision-makers. But should we expect them to do so just because they have a sizeable following?
It is often pointless to try to force influencers to express an opinion if they don't care to. Our rage could even put them off the cause.
Imagine the affect the vitriol being sent by thousands, or in some cases, millions of followers can have on influencers' psyche when to most of us even one person's words can be hurtful.
Influencers have their reasons to not make a statement. First, there are many causes and no one can speak up for all of them. There is also the matter of personal security. Influencers are sometimes threatened and may choose not to speak up for fear of being harmed or even killed. Influencers, like the rest of us, are entitled to self-preservation.
Instead of getting angry at them, there are ways in which we can channel our energy more constructively to champion a cause we care about. We can lend support to those who choose to engage in activism, rather than rage against those who don’t. We can amplify those who speak up, by using our own social media channels. After all, that is exactly how one becomes an influencer – and instead of focusing on the power of influencers, we should focus on ours.
There is also a strategic element to all of this. Influencers gain influence only because we follow them. We essentially vote for them with our clicks and follows.
We can support those who engage in activism, rather than rage against those who don't
Whenever I ask fellow Muslim women, for example, who the most influential Muslim women in their lives are on social media, they mostly point to people in the beauty, fashion and lifestyle businesses. If they are the celebrities we elevate by following them, then why are we surprised that all they talk about is what beauty, fashion and lifestyle?
Our social media feeds and the people we follow reflect our priorities and give us an understanding of who we are.
Influencers rarely emerge overnight. So if we want influencers who address news issues, then we can start following them, so that they have the time to build their following.
To expect people to speak out and say the things we want them to say amounts to a misunderstanding of activism. Rather than directing our anger at influencers for not engaging with issues we care about, we could take up the cause and become activists ourselves.
Shelina Janmohamed is an author and a culture columnist for The National
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Key facilities
Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024. It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine. Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages]. The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts. With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians. Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved. Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world. The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Education: Degree in zoology at The University of Sydney
Favourite book: Lemurs of Madagascar by Russell A Mittermeier
Favourite music: Billy Joel
Weekends and holidays: Talking about animals or visiting his farm in Australia
If you go
The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at. Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti withCoastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.
A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial
Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport
Manchester United 6 (McTominay 2', 3'; Fernandes 20', 70' pen; Lindelof 37'; James 65')
Leeds United 2 (Cooper 41'; Dallas 73')
Man of the match: Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
