Reinstating Authenticity in Media through Timeless Wisdom
– 3 min read
by Ameena Ahmed
In a world overwhelmed by media—where eye-catching headlines compete fiercely and the truth frequently gets lost amid spectacle—it is easy to overlook that communication once operated according to sacred patterns. Our social feeds move quicker than the rhythm of our heartbeats, and our focus is often sold to the highest bidder. Media not only shapes public opinion but also influences identity formation. Repeated images and messages can subtly alter moral perceptions, embed unconscious biases, or generate aspirations fueled by illusion.
The Influence of Media on Thought and Society
Media does more than reflect society; it shapes and constructs it, often beneath our conscious awareness. Laws and algorithms regulate media content, determining what information reaches us and how we interpret it. The process of agenda-setting controls which stories gain prominence and the manner in which they are presented. For example, ‘Demonstrations’ may be labelled “riots” or “uprisings,” thereby influencing public sentiment and governmental actions.Repetition reinforces dominant cultural narratives, shaping perceptions—frequently promoting capitalism, nationalism, or fear—while marginalising dissenting voices and indigenous viewpoints.
Colonial and Cultural Influences
Western media continues to dominate the global discourse, perpetuating colonial tendencies that silence or exoticize voices from non-Western societies. Indigenous wisdom is seldom genuinely included; it tends instead to be appropriated, curated superficially, or romanticised. Yet might there be an alternative path. Could media embody truth, balance, and mutual respect? Ancient Kemetic philosophies embody not only truth but the idea of right relationship—among people, the cosmos, speech, and silence. This ancestral worldview offers a profound reimagining of media, one capable of restoring harmony where distortion has prevailed.
Honesty Amidst the Clamour of Modern Media
Contemporary media thrives on immediacy; clicks serve as currency, and division spurs engagement. Sensationalist headlines flood our feeds as subtlety and nuance disappear. In such an environment, misinformation does more than occur—it often surpasses truth in reach and influence.
Master Naba Lamoussa Morodenibig, founder of The Earth Center now known as Kebtah, eloquently distinguishes between truth and being right. As Master Naba taught in his lectures: Truth is not what you believe. Truth is what is. This philosophy underscores the universal, objective, and cosmic nature of truth, which transcends personal belief or emotional investment. Conversely, the need to be “right” frequently emerges from ego, opinion, or societal conditioning.
According to Kebtah, truth is rooted in ancestral knowledge—balanced, universal, and enduring. In this framework, truth transcends mere facts; it is deeply relational, bound by timing and justice. It emerges from a balance among thought, speech, and consequence. Rather than focusing on proving a point, it centres on healing and restoration. Within this cosmology, certain moments call for pause and reflection—allowing one’s message to mature before it is spoken. This contrasts sharply with the relentless 24-hour news cycle, where immediacy replaces depth, and narratives are broadcast before they have fully taken root.
A media aligned with Kemetic principles would consider questions such as:
• Has this story fully matured?
• Is this the right moment to share it?
• Does this account foster harmony or simply elevate ego?
According to Kemetic teachings, speech holds sacred power—it is a gift to ancestors, the cosmos, and the wider community. Misinformation is not just false; it disrupts spiritual harmony. Speaking is regarded as an offering, not mere output.
• Sensationalism does not represent style—it signals imbalance.
• Correcting mistakes is not shameful—it is a sacred act of restoration.
• Words are never neutral; they bear the weight of cosmic justice.
From this vantage, media practitioners serve as guardians of sacred equilibrium. Storytellers—or Griots—transcend the role of mere conveyors of information; they are custodians of collective memory, awakeners of souls, and facilitators of communal resonance. Relational truth prioritises how a narrative benefits the community rather than who controls it. Stories are viewed as living seeds rather than commodities, with knowledge meant to be shared, not hoarded. So remember, when your social media feed increasingly reflects only your own beliefs, you are experiencing algorithmic fragmentation. These algorithms feed us content based on preferences, not on what is necessary, turning truth into tribalism and sacrificing depth for speed. Social learning theory reveals that behaviours—whether beneficial or harmful—are often unconsciously adopted through what we consume in media.
Humans are adepts of copying!
