Lahore: UNESCO, in collaboration with Media Foundation 360 and the Department of Digital Media at the University of the Punjab, successfully conducted the “Becoming a Trusted Voice: Media and Information Literacy Capacity-Building Workshop for Media Duty Bearers.” The initiative is part of UNESCO’s broader efforts to enhance the media and information literacy (MIL) framework in Pakistan, equipping media professionals with essential skills to navigate the evolving information landscape. The workshop brought together journalists, media professionals, and industry experts to discuss the challenges posed by traditional and digital media and emphasized the urgent need to integrate MIL across various sectors of society.
Hamza Swati, National Professional Officer at UNESCO, provided an overview of the project and underscored the importance of critical thinking skills in combating misinformation and fostering informed decision-making. Dr. Savera Shami, MIL Lead and Chairperson of the Department of Digital Media, presented a draft strategic framework designed to strengthen MIL at the grassroots level. She stressed the need for policy integration, community engagement, and sustained capacity-building efforts to enhance media literacy nationwide.
The workshop featured sessions led by prominent media figures, including Ikram Barkat, Director General of PEMRA, who emphasized the growing importance of online safety and data protection, urging media professionals to adopt best practices for digital security. Mubashar Bukhari, President of Media Foundation 360, highlighted the responsibilities of journalists in ensuring accurate and responsible reporting. Muhammad Noshad Ali, Group Executive of Daily Pakistan, elaborated on the role of content creators in promoting responsible media literacy and countering disinformation. Ajmal Jami, Broadcast Journalist and Digital Media Consultant at Suno News, spoke about the ethical obligations of journalists in an era of widespread and unverified information dissemination. Fatima Ali, Correspondent Punjab for Independent Urdu, provided practical tools for verifying news authenticity and assessing the credibility of sources.
The workshop concluded with key recommendations aimed at advancing MIL in Pakistan, including integrating MIL into national curricula, developing capacity-building programs for media professionals, launching public awareness campaigns, strengthening regulatory support from PEMRA, providing digital security training, creating fact-checking mechanisms, and initiating grassroots engagement programs. Representatives from major media organizations—including Aik News, Hum News, Daily Express, Samaa, Nukta Pakistan, Geo News, 92 News, PTI, The News, Public News, and Daily Naayi Baat—actively participated in the discussions, reinforcing a collective commitment to fostering media literacy and responsible journalism in Pakistan.
