Seminar on Media’s Role in Countering the Negative Impact of the Internet Held in Islamabad

Islamabad: A seminar on the theme “The Role of Media in Countering the Negative Impact of the Internet” was organized at the National Press Club, Islamabad, through the joint efforts of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), the National Press Club, and the Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR).

The event was graced by Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Culture, Shazia Rizwan, as the chief guest, while Minister of State Kheal Das attended as a special guest.

Speakers at the seminar included Chaudhry Shafiq (CEO, PCHR), President PFUJ Afzal Butt, President RIUJ Tariq Ali Virk, President National Press Club Azhar Jatoi, Secretary National Press Club Nayar Ali, former PFUJ Secretary General Nasir Zaidi, and Secretary PRA Chaudhry Naveed Akbar.

Addressing the gathering, Shazia Rizwan said that hard work never goes to waste and sincere efforts always bear fruit. She termed journalism a sacred profession and emphasized that in the era of digital and social media, promoting positive and constructive thinking has become essential. She also said that the Chief Minister of Punjab has always appreciated the positive role of journalists.

Minister of State Kheal Das, in his remarks, said that he considers the Press Club his own home. He stated that modern technology has transformed journalism, making it essential to tolerate criticism and ensure fact-based reporting. He added that fake news spreads faster, but the promotion of digital systems can help reduce corruption.

PFUJ President Afzal Butt said that journalists must adapt to changing times and align themselves with the demands of the modern era. He noted that while social media reflects what is happening in society, disinformation is often spread through planned strategies.

RIUJ President Tariq Ali Virk said that digital media is an undeniable reality that cannot be ignored. He stressed that journalists must develop expertise in using digital tools and promote positive and constructive journalism.

National Press Club President Azhar Jatoi said that journalists are witnessing rapid changes every moment and must remain engaged in continuous learning. NPC Secretary Nayar Ali emphasized that the future of modern journalism is linked with digital media and that the journalist community must work together to ensure responsible reporting and eliminate fake news.

Chairman Kashmir Bar Council Tariq Bashir termed such workshops extremely important for the present era. Asad Baig, while addressing the workshop, said that the unchecked spread of digital media has posed new challenges to social harmony, public awareness, and journalistic responsibilities.

A large number of media experts, journalists, and students participated in the workshop, where participants were trained on modern media trends, countering fake news, and responsible reporting. Speakers emphasized that in the age of social media, the speed of news dissemination has increased rapidly, but unfortunately, the rate of accuracy has not kept pace.

They warned that misinformation, fake videos, and unverified news can create national-level chaos, stressing that journalists must prioritize proper research and verification before publishing any news. Participants were informed that the real role of the media is not only to deliver news but also to guide the public in the right direction.

Experts further highlighted that the use of modern fact-checking methods and digital tools is the need of the hour. They advised young journalists to develop skills in professional ethics, investigative journalism, and digital security to play an effective role in the changing media environment. The speakers warned that sensationalism, baseless information, and propaganda not only harm the credibility of journalism but also increase mistrust in society.

Participants termed the workshop a positive and timely step, saying that such training programs not only enhance journalists’ professional skills but also play a vital role in promoting responsible journalism. A question-and-answer session was also held at the end, during which young journalists raised their queries and received guidance from senior experts.

Senior journalists including Senior Vice President RIUJ Raja Bashir Usmani, Vice President National Press Club Ihtesham-ul-Haq, Executive Body Members Ali Akhtar, Ghafran Chishti, former RIUJ presidents Aamir Sajjad and Syed Abid Abbasi, former NPC Finance Secretary Saghir Chaudhry, Rana Adnan, and many others attended the seminar.