The memory was of an old woman selling children’s toys in front of the maternity and child hospital in Madinah. That day municipality inspectors conducted a surprise raid so she could not escape.

She hugged her goods tightly to her chest so they were not confiscated by the officials.

One of the representatives took off his ikal (the band that bound his head scarf) and started beating her with it. The woman could not resist the assault and let go of her goods. The municipality staff took the toys and left her crying.

This incident, which is not typical of all municipality staff who have a duty to check the markets and punish violators working without proper licenses, actually took place.

Similar incidents happen from time to time. Excessively violent behavior is not limited to municipality staff alone, but also traffic police, airport staff and other public employees.

Such behavior is entirely condemned no matter who instigates it. Those responsible must be punished. However, I am surprised by the reaction of the media, which only reports some of these violations briefly, while they give many column inches to any debatable action committed by members of the  Commission for Promotion of  Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia).

The media blows up any such excessive behavior by the Haia and provides follow up reports. Though this is entirely wrong, it can be accepted to some extent. The thing that is utterly unacceptable is the way reports and news about Haia violations are written.

These reports do not shy away from condemning the Haia while cases against the organization are still being investigated. The recent news story of a young woman from Madinah or Yanbu who accused the Haia men of physically abusing her is a good example of how some newspapers deal with news about the commission. The next day some local dailies came up with headlines including “Haia men involved in woman's case arrested.”

I am not defending the Haia or its members. I would never say the Haia staff are angels who would never make mistakes. I have criticized them on many occasions, but I am calling for justice and equality in news coverage. We should not condemn any suspect before he is actually proven to be guilty.

The media should just be after the truth. It is not a tool for confrontation or settling any personal scores. Journalists should be neutral in their coverage of any event.

While I ask the media to be fair and just in their news reports, I also urge the Haia not to commit mistakes and to communicate in a refined manner with society.
 
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