The two-day 11th MCAP-BNU International Media Conference concluded at Beaconhouse National University in Lahore, bringing together academics, journalists, policymakers and media professionals to address pressing challenges in contemporary media and communication. The conference foregrounded media literacy as a practical tool for strengthening public discourse, promoting inclusive storytelling and countering misinformation in Pakistan and the region.
The event was inaugurated by Dr Moeed Yusuf, Vice Chancellor of BNU, alongside Javed Jabbar, Ambassador Mansoor Ahmed Khan, Prof. Dr Bushra H. Rehman and Prof. Svetlana Bodrunova. In his remarks, Dr Moeed Yusuf underscored the responsibility of academic institutions to foster critical thinking and responsible knowledge production, themes that threaded through panels and workshops across both days.
Sessions ranged from plenary discussions and parallel academic forums to interactive workshops, including a noted workshop on “Chinese Art in the Digital Age.” Panels examined reimagining journalism for social justice, media activism, the rights of marginalized communities, digital inclusion and ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies. Speakers reflected on how media literacy can help citizens navigate digital platforms and participate more meaningfully in civic life.
Regional media collaboration featured prominently, with sustained conversation on China-Pakistan media cooperation and cross-border academic exchange. Participants emphasized that strengthened media literacy and collaborative reporting initiatives can enhance regional understanding and connectivity while opening pathways for joint research and training programs.
The conference attracted a distinguished mix of international scholars and national practitioners, including Prof. Dr Nico Carpentier, Prof. Dr Jeffrey Wimmer, Prof. Dr Fatima Elzahra, Prof. Dr Jason Gainous, Mazhar Abbas, Talat Hussain, Fariha Idrees, Nadia Jamil, Muneeza Jahangir and Usman Peerzada, among others. Their contributions highlighted practical strategies for embedding media literacy across curricula, newsroom practice and public outreach.
On the occasion, Javed Jabbar received a lifetime achievement honour in recognition of his long-standing contributions to Pakistan’s media and communications sector. Alongside plenaries, the conference hosted parallel research sessions, career counselling and technical workshops aimed at fostering academic collaboration and professional development.
Delegates left the conference with a renewed emphasis on media literacy as a foundational instrument for informed citizenship, inclusive storytelling and constructive regional engagement, calling for sustained partnerships between universities, media organisations and civil society to translate conference insights into practice.
