KARACHI,Aug 29 (APP): A session titled "Role of Media in Promoting Social, Economic and Strategic Stability," held at the Rabita Forum International (RFI) office in collaboration with the Press Information Department (PID) here Thursday, highlighted the urgent need for widespread media literacy training to counter the dangers of misinformation and disinformation in the society. The speakers emphasized that the rise of social media had enabled individuals to voice their opinions freely, necessitating efforts to educate the public about responsible media consumption.
During the session, Erum Tanveer, Director General Public Relations at PID, said the PID organize training for journalists across the country. She highlighted the existence of a government department dedicated to identifying and countering fake news. Erum Tanveer expressed concern over the tendency of mainstream media to highlight negative news, stressing the importance of responsible journalism.
“Social media’s reality and importance cannot be ignored,” Erum Tanveer noted, comparing the platforms to traditional media. “While mainstream media has gatekeepers to verify content, social media lacks such mechanisms, allowing people to post whatever they like without considering the content’s authenticity or societal impact.” She advocated for comprehensive media literacy to prevent misinformation from spreading unchecked.
She also commented on the freedom of the Pakistani press, suggesting it is comparatively more liberal than in other countries.
Mah-e-Darakhshan, Assistant Professor of Media Studies at a private university, likened social media to a force more powerful than nuclear power. She stressed the need to incorporate media literacy into school, college, and university curricula, noting that younger generations are more inclined toward social media than traditional news sources and are heavily influenced by online personalities. “Today’s youth have easy access to global information but lack knowledge of local information,” she observed, recommending seminars and workshops to engage young people in productive discussions.
Discussing the impact of social media, Mah-e-Darakhshan stated that it played a pivotal role in countering Israel’s propaganda, underscoring the platform’s influence in shaping public opinion. She urged the government to adopt mechanisms to better engage with the youth and improve access to information.
Sidra Azhar Dar, a correspondent for a foreign media outlet, criticized the mainstream media for neglecting important issues that are often highlighted on social media. She called for government action to address areas where information is lacking.
RFI Chairman Nusrat Mirza and PID Information Officer Qasim Farooq also contributed to the discussion, reaffirming the need for enhanced media literacy and responsible communication to ensure social, economic, and strategic stability.
