SARGODHA-The concluding session of the two-day National Symposium on the role, responsibilities and ethics of media in Pakistan was held here on Wednesday. It was organised by department of Communication and Media Studies, University of Sargodha.
The media and anchor persons should pursue the set rules of Pakistan Electronic Media Regularity Authority (Pemra) to prove they are part of civilized nation, said the Pemra chairman. Absar Alam said that the institution was not being given protection and space to work freely as media was the fourth pillar of the state but unfortunately its importance could not be understated by the owners, anchors, reporters and the audience as well. He added that professional standards have dropped within the media outlets which results the reduction in credibility of news coverage.
“We want British standard of freedom but we have some irresponsible media outlets that have to be matured and it will take some time,” he further added. Alam told the audience that in last two years Pemra has fined 137 times, issued 221 show cause notices including 11 anchors and suspended transmission for 11 times of different TV channels on violation of rules and regulations.
Renowned international relations specialist Adnan Rafiq while addressing the audience on the topic of media, democracy and social change in Pakistan emphasized to learn and think about the world without formulating their opinion according to urban middle class desires. He added that in this decade or so five key trends have been evolved including urbanisation, middle class expansion and rise, youth and technology. Youth are the beneficiary and major users of new technology and gives a way to the poorer, this is how change takes place in the society, he further added.
International development professional and political analyst Rafiullah Kakar addressed on social media ‘’ a bane or boon for the millennial. He discussed positive and negative aspects of social media. Famous columnist Aslam Khan addressed on traditional media versus social media.
He told audience that media could not survive if remained un-biased but clean journalism is to write and to come with the accuracy and reality. Academic figure of media studies Professor Dr Masrur Alam Khan presented his views on communication proximity at the organisational level while the Dr Anjum Zia addressed on media and gender representation.
University of Sargodha Vice Chancellor Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed while addressing the concluding session declared to build a multi media centre for the students of communication and media studies in addition to specialized degree in mobile journalism.
The vice chancellor said that Pakistan is a newly born nation with only 20 year old media while media has become powerful actor in the modern world particularly in Pakistan.
It was a first ever academic event in a row to develop vibrant local media in Sargodha and to lift the academic profile of the varsity students, he added.
He further added we all know that many ethical issues are impacting in Media however thanks to media for providing information at every level of this society.