LAHORE: Two-day International Journalism Conference 2017 titled ‘Media and Society, Future and Beyond’ has been kicked off yesterday at Pearl Continental Hotel.
Information Department Punjab government, Foundation for Promotion of Academic collaboration (FPAC) and German Press Foundation (DPV), University of Central Punjab were jointly organized the event.
In inaugural session Christian Schalldach from Education Ministry of Spain speaking at the gathering said we use social media to promote science and technology reporting in Spain and globally. He says in today's world we need to listen and appreciate new ideas in order to innovate the journalism.
Dean School of Media and Communication Studies, University of Central Punjab Professor Dr Mugheesuddin Sheikh talking to the inaugural session said that these kinds of conferences are vital for the media students. He said Media should work for the peace as there is so much chaos and confusion all over.
There is a galaxy of international academics in the field of Mass Communication from all over the world so it is chance to learn from their experiences, he said.
Dr Mughees said leering from foreign delegate’s success stories is a chance for us to improve the situation here at home.
Spokesman Punjab Government Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan while representing Chief Minister Punjab inaugurated the conference.
Senior journalists from Germany, Afghanistan, Iran, Spain, India, USA, Malta and Denmark participated as delegations.
Dr Martin Pabst, Political Research and Consultanc, who hails from Munich Germany, told The Nation it was his first visit to Pakistan and previously he stationed in Istanbul, and Tehran part of his research work. “Visiting Pakistan was my long-lasting wish and it’s been amazing here as journalists here expressed resiliently,” he said.
Germany also opposed the shifting of US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and the decision would intensify the chaos situation in Middle East, he added.
On the eve of opening session the chief guest has read message from Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif who welcomed the participants and delegations of the conference and emphasized universities of Pakistan to learn experience and vies shared by acclaimed foreign journalists.
Malik Ahmed Khan said working journalists go through lot of problem as they went out not caring out their life, even in the time or terror and formulating an opinion that this is a resilient nation. And media has a great role in making Pakistan more secure. Malik said social media serving political and governmental causes, and impacting our lives in real manner.
“Media from Pakistan and abroad will sought after solution of problems faced by Pakistan and other countries as well” he hoped.
He applauded bravery of Pakistani journalists who even take risk of life while covering incidents of terrorism. He said that number of terrorism has been significantly decreased by initiatives taken by the government, the nation will never bow down before terrorism, reiterated the spokesman.
“Adopting principle of balance reporting and impartiality they can make public opinion in even better manner. He assured the journalist community that “we are with you”,’ he added.
Kinnaird College for Women students Noor Moazzam Khan, Misbah Khan, Meeran Saqib and Ammara Khan from Accounting and Finance department were volunteers. Talking to The Nation Noor Moazzam Khan shared conference itself provided a fruit for thought on global issues as the experience with interacting with scholars from other parts of world remained ‘tremendous’.
In panel discussions ‘Emerging Issues in Media; National and International Perspectives’ panelists talked on the challenges faced by the media worldwide.
President German Press Foundation Christian Zarm, Director International Mrdia, DPV Shams ul Haq, Hanns.H. Mielke (Malta), Axel Rahmlow (USA), Klaus J. Stanek Nierenz and Karl-Heinz Roghofer (Germany), Grit Buttner Berthold (Denmark), Bahadury Ainuddin (Afghanistan), Faimah Shokri (Iran), senior professor of Journalism Dr. Mughees uddin Sheikh, Dr. Anjum Niaz and president of the conference Aamir Rafique also addressed the opening session.