ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) on Friday hosted a roundtable discussion on “Responsible Journalism in the Age of Social Media.”
The media professionals, on this occasion, underscored the need for journalism to prioritize public interests over vested ones.
As the media landscape rapidly evolves due to digitalization, maintaining information veracity and credibility has become increasingly challenging for journalists.
The event featured prominent journalists from Al Jazeera, including Muntaser Marai, Manager of Media Initiatives; Belal, Coordinator at the Media Institute; Osama Javed, Global Correspondent; Anam, Faras, and Hashim, Media Experts. From Pakistan, the discussion was enriched by contributions from Iftikhar Shirazi of Dawn News, Farrukh Pitafi, Rehman Azhar, Jawad Thehami, Nayyer Ali, Faisal Raza Khan, Saadullah Saeed Ahmed, and Raja Faisal.
Montaser Marai from Al Jazeera said that the role of a journalist is not only to search and sift through information meticulously but also to remain objective and independent, especially when reporting on conflicts, human rights issues, and corruption.
He highlighted that the rapid pace of information flow on social media presents a significant challenge, urging journalists to modernize their skills to combat misinformation and disinformation effectively.
IRS President Ambassador Jauhar Saleem praised both international and national journalists for their insightful contributions. He stressed the critical importance of factual and authentic reporting in maintaining societal peace, stability, and national interests.
Osama Javed from Al Jazeera pointed out that while media viewership has evolved, Pakistani electronic media remains rooted in outdated practices from the 1990s. He criticized the proliferation of unregulated broadcast media and emphasized the need for media to focus on news verification rather than merely breaking news. He called for journalists to explore new avenues beyond social media and realign their focus on public interest.
Iftikhar Shirazi, Bureau Chief at Dawn News, noted the growing dominance of social media over traditional mainstream media, stressing the urgent need to restore credibility and self-accountability within mainstream outlets. Nayyer Ali, Secretary of the National Press Club, advocated for public education on social media management prior to the implementation of regulatory measures.
Senior Analyst and PTV Anchor Farrukh Khan Pitafi observed that social media has drastically increased the volume and speed of information, complicating the fact-checking process for accurate reporting.
The roundtable discussion was well attended by senior journalists, reporters, researchers, academics, and students.
