A seminar on the media role in stopping the negative spread of internet content was held at the Islamabad Press Club, organised by the Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists in collaboration with the National Press Club and the Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights. Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Culture Shazia Rizwan attended as the guest of honour and Minister of State Khil Das joined the event as a special participant. Speeches were delivered by Choudhary Shafiq, CEO of the Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights, PFUJ President Afzal Butt, RIUJ President Tariq Ali Wark, National Press Club President Azhar Jatoi, Secretary Naeer Ali, former PFUJ Secretary General Nasir Zaidi and PRA Secretary Choudhary Naveed Akbar.
Shazia Rizwan emphasised that sincere efforts do not go to waste and called journalism a sacred profession in today’s digital age. She urged the media to promote constructive thinking and noted that the Punjab Chief Minister appreciates the positive role played by journalists in society.
Minister of State Khil Das said he considers the Press Club his home and highlighted how modern technology has transformed journalistic practice. He advised journalists to tolerate criticism while maintaining fact-based reporting, warning that fake news spreads rapidly but stressing that strengthened digital systems can help reduce corruption.
PFUJ President Afzal Butt said journalists must adapt to changing conditions and develop skills demanded by the modern era. He observed that while social media often reflects real societal trends, disinformation is frequently disseminated through deliberate campaigns and must be countered proactively.
Tariq Ali Wark noted that digital media is an unavoidable reality and urged reporters to master its tools. Azhar Jatoi called for continuous learning as the media landscape evolves, and Naeer Ali appealed for unity in the journalist community to ensure responsible reporting and the elimination of fake news.
Speakers including Kashmir Bar Council Chairman Tariq Bashir and media expert Asad Baig described the uncontrolled spread of digital content as a challenge to social harmony, public awareness and journalistic responsibilities. The workshop provided practical training on emerging media trends, fact checking and the use of digital verification tools, with participation from media professionals, senior journalists and students from the Islamabad region.
Panelists stressed that speed in the social media era often outpaces accuracy, and warned that false information, manipulated videos and unverified reports can fuel unrest at a national level. They urged journalists to prioritise rigorous research and verification before publishing and to see the media role as not only delivering news but guiding the public responsibly.
The event concluded with a question and answer session where junior reporters raised queries and senior experts offered guidance. Senior attendees included Raja Bashir Usmani, Ehtisham ul Haq, Ali Akhtar Ghufran Chishti, Aamir Sajjad, Syed Abid Abbasi, Saghir Chaudhry and Rana Adnan, who welcomed the workshop as a timely step toward strengthening journalistic standards in Pakistan’s digital era.
