LAHORE - Punjab government spokesman Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri has said that responsible media can play an important role in the protection of social values.
He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of International Journalism Conference held under the aegis of Youth Revolution Clan at Nazaria-e-Pakistan Trust Building on Wednesday.
He said that viewers and readers would have to play their role for fixing the right direction of media. He said that creating consensus among the society and to avoid creating chaos is the responsibility of media.
Qadri said that media has to fulfill the demands of social responsibilities. He said that disappointments will be eliminated and new aspirations be created among the people through publicising programmes of public service and positive steps of the government.
Qadri said that on the direction of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, problems of journalists are being resolved on priority basis. He said that taking complete possession of new F-Block at Journalist Colony is the accomplishment of promises made with the journalists.
YRC Chairman Rizwan Anwar said that the aim of YRC is to create conducive atmosphere for young journalists through mutual discussion of academic researchers and professional journalists.
YRC Chairperson Maha Jameel, President Asfand Yar, Secretary General Muhammad Awais and Social Mobilizer Fatima Iqbal informed the participants about the aims and objectives of International Journalists Conference and awards.
Addressing the first session of the conference on the topic of “Globalization of Media”, Chairman GC University Faisalabad Dr Ashraf Ali Zaidi, Ghareeda Farooqui, Sohail Warraich, Nadia and Salman Abid informed the participants about their experiences and observations.
Speakers were of the view that media can show best performance through balanced ratio of theory and practice. Control of social media and enforcement of code of conduct is essential. Training of staff should be arranged at media houses so that journalists could also be harmonised with modern demands of present era. Awareness of media literacy should be created among Pakistani institutions.
Prof Dr Mughees Uddin Sheikh said that viewers and readers would have to play their role for keeping media balanced. The journalists should be knowledgeable so that they could verify the news on time.
Prominent journalist Salman Ghani said that media has become an industry in present era.
Addressing the concluding session of “Journalism Theory and Practice”, senior journalist Mujeebur Rehman Shami said that impartiality in comments and objectivity in reporting are the quality of a good journalist. He said that responsible journalism is not possible without sense of accountability.
Senior journalist Sajjad Mir said that there is no concept of freedom without responsibility in any sector including journalism.
Lahore Press Club President Arshad Ansari said that the journalists should follow the principles of truthfulness and honesty. General Secretary Afzaal Talib and Secretary Nazaria-e-Pakistan Trust Shahid Rasheed were also present on the occasion.
HNPIP seminar today
Hameed Nizami Press Institute of Pakistan is organising a seminar on ‘Imperatives of bringing crisis-ridden Pakistan on the track of peace and progress’ at HNPIP Auditorium near China Chowk today (Thursday).
Former Justice Fakhrunnisa Khokhar will preside over while former minister Qayyum Nizami, PTI President Punjab Ijaz Ahmad Ch and Dr Ijaz Butt will be chief guests on occasion. Speakers include senior analysts Saeed Aasi and Mian Saifur Rehman.