Islamabad: A seminar on ‘The Role of Media in Countering the Negative Impact of the Internet’ was organized at the National Press Club, Islamabad, through the joint efforts of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), the National Press Club, and the Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR).
The event was graced by Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Culture Shazia Rizwan as chief guest, while Minister of State Kheal Das attended as a special guest.
Speakers included Chaudhry Shafiq (CEO, PCHR), PFUJ President Afzal Butt, RIUJ President Tariq Ali Virk, National Press Club President Azhar Jatoi, NPC Secretary Nayar Ali, former PFUJ Secretary General Nasir Zaidi, and Secretary PRA Chaudhry Naveed Akbar.
Addressing the gathering, Shazia Rizwan described journalism as a sacred profession and emphasized the need to promote positive and constructive thinking in the era of digital and social media. Minister of State Kheal Das highlighted the importance of fact-based reporting and warned against the rapid spread of fake news, stressing that digital systems could help reduce corruption.
PFUJ President Afzal Butt urged journalists to adapt to modern times and noted that disinformation is often spread through planned strategies. RIUJ President Tariq Ali Virk stressed the importance of expertise in digital tools and promoting constructive journalism. National Press Club President Azhar Jatoi and Secretary Nayar Ali emphasized continuous learning and responsible reporting to counter misinformation.
Speakers also highlighted that unverified news, fake videos, and misinformation could create national-level chaos. They advised journalists to prioritize research, verification, professional ethics, investigative journalism, and digital security to maintain credibility and public trust. Workshops and training sessions provided participants with guidance on modern media trends, fact-checking, and responsible reporting.
The seminar saw participation from media experts, journalists, and students, who acknowledged the event as a timely step in enhancing professional skills and promoting responsible journalism. A question-and-answer session allowed young journalists to engage directly with senior experts.
Senior journalists including Senior Vice President RIUJ Raja Bashir Usmani, Vice President National Press Club Ihtesham-ul-Haq, Executive Body Members Ali Akhtar, Ghafran Chishti, former RIUJ Presidents Aamir Sajjad and Syed Abid Abbasi, former NPC Finance Secretary Saghir Chaudhry, Rana Adnan, and others attended the seminar.