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University of the Punjab

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Media urged to play role for national solidarity
Media urged to play role for national solidarity


LAHORE: (Wednesday, October 29, 2014): Renowned journalists at a seminar have called upon media to play role for promoting national solidarity and bring positive change in society. They were addressing a one-day seminar organized by Punjab University Academic Staff Association at Al Raazi Hall here on Wednesday. PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran presided over the seminar while renowned journalists Atta ur Rehman, Salman Ghani, Arshad Ansari, Najam Wali Khan and Tariq Mateen were guest speakers. PU ASA seminar committee’s head and Controller of Examinations Prof Dr Shahid Munir, Assistant Prof Dr Mahboob Hussain, Shabbir Sarwar, Sonia Omer, a large number of faculty members and students were also present on the occasion.

In his address, Dr Mujahid Kamran said that in the last 10 years, as many as 132 journalists were killed in the country which showed that journalists were facing serious threats and performing their duties with valor. He said that media had highlighted the issues of flood victims, Thar drought, IDPs and Balochistan province which had put politicians as well as bureaucracy in problem. He said that the people of US were the greatest asset of mankind but they and their media were under the control of world’s financial elite while around 1.5 billion Muslims world had no contribution to creation of new knowledge and these were the two problems the world was facing. Senior journalist Salman Ghani said that if Pakistani media could have played appropriate role in 1971, it was impossible to divide the country. He said that side by side bureaucracy, “anchorcracy” was also creating problems for the development of the country. He said that Pakistani media would have to play its role being Pakistan’s media for promotion of national solidarity in the country. He said that Indian media was promoting patriotism and waging war against Pakistan.

He said that Pakistani channels could not be aired in India but unfortunately we were showing Indian channels. Senior journalist and President Lahore Press Club Arshad Ansari said that Pakistan had become the third most dangerous country for the journalists in the world. He said that journalists were performing their duties while facing threats. He said unfortunately our media had been divided and media was not playing the role that it should. He said that owners should not impose their agenda as per journalistic code of ethics. He said that media should devise a policy which could unite the nation. Senior Journalist Atta ur Rehman said that today’s media was more independent than the past’s but was not playing its due role.

He said that rumors were being aired as news which was an example of irresponsible reporting. He said that we must develop a system for accountability of our media. He said that the rating system and business had destroyed values and ethics of journalism. Senior journalist Najam Wali Khan lauded the journalists who were performing in the field despite facing great difficulties. He said that during the recent tension on the Line of Control, Pakistani media had played positive role. He said that media was creating awareness among the masses and raising their voice. Renowned anchor Tariq Mateen said our nation was divided and media should play role for uniting thinking of the people. He said that media was not properly highlighting the issues of Balochistan and there was lack of patriotism in media. Later, Prof Dr Shahid Munir paid vote of thanks to the participants.