Can he give fatwas based on what he hears or reads?
Question

                If someone asks me about an Islamic issue, should I give him an answer according to what I read in Islamic books or heard on Islamic tapes or programs? Or shall I say I do not know?.
Praise be to Allah.
    If someone asks you a question and you know the ruling on it 
    from books and tapes whose authors are trustworthy, or from a trustworthy 
    program, then it is obligatory for you to tell them of the shar’i ruling, 
    because if you know the ruling from the sources we have mentioned, then it 
    is an obligation for you to tell people of the shar’i ruling if you are 
    asked, otherwise you will be included among those who conceal knowledge. But 
    it is good if you say “So and so said such and such in such and such a 
    program” or “So and so said on such and such a tape” or “So and so said in 
    such and such a book” so that you will be absolved of responsibility.  End 
    quote.