Punjab University (PU) Department of Journalism Studies (DJS) and the Institute of Education and Research (IER) organized a two-day AMCAP-PU International Conference titled “Revisiting Relationship between Journalism and Society in the Digital Age for Common Good” at Faisal Auditorium.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister Fahd Hussain, while addressing the opening ceremony, has said that digital media should be used as a salve to end the polarization in society. He said that for the positive use of social media, we have to adopt the code of conduct and principles of journalism.
On this occasion, PU VC Prof Niaz Ahmed Akhtar, Senior Analyst Mujeeb-Ur-Rehman Shami, Dean Faculty of Information and Media Studies Prof Dr Khalid Mehmood, Chairperson Department of Journalism Prof Dr Bushra Hameedur Rehman, Chairperson Department of Public Relations and Advertising Prof Dr Abida Ashraf, Director Institute of Education and Research Dr Abdul Qayyum Chaudhry, faculty members, students and researchers and experts from Russia, Nigeria, Czech Republic, Sweden, Indonesia and Pakistan participated.
In his address, Fahd Hussain said that the digital age is a reality now; however, the relationship between journalism and society is becoming weaker. He said that journalism is no longer our main source of information. He said that people need true, complete and quick information. He said that providing reliable information is a challenge based on which a fair analysis is done. He said that there is a need for training social media users and journalists. He said that many changes are coming in our society and we should use digital journalism to heal the wounds of our society.
Prof Niaz Ahmad Akhtar conferred the title of Professor on Fahd Hussain for his extensive discussion on the subject. He said that given the emerging changes in the field of journalism, the School of Communication Studies was restructured and the departments formed due to the restructuring are playing an active role in the field of journalism. He praised Fahad Hussain and said that he highlighted the problems of journalism in the best way.
Mujeeb-Ur-Rehman Shami said that the lack of quality journalism, fake news and the rise of social media are challenges for journalism. He said that such Conferences promote unity and strong linkages among the journalism community at the global level. He said that more measures are needed to promote responsibility and ethics in journalism, to provide security, empower and strengthen the journalistic community. He said that Pakistan’s enemy countries want to spread religious and political chaos through social media, therefore, experts should play a role to remedy it.
Dr Khalid Mahmood said that social media is leading to the promotion of all activities in the society. Nico Carpentier said negative and positive activities are covered by digital media. Youth use social media platforms to learn about the culture, lifestyle and religion of different countries, he added.
Dr Bushra, Dr Abida and Dr Qayyum thanked the VC and others for their support for the successful conference. They said that PU will continue to play a role in the improvement of the journalism department. The conference will continue today.
