LAHORE – Mass Communication Department Queen Mary College (QMC) organized a seminar on “Social issues and the role of media” at the college campus on Thursday. Imminent journalists from different TV channels and newspapers addressed the seminar.
Speakers said that the role of media is increasingly becoming crucial in the wake of ever increasing social issues and growing democracy. They said, “Nevertheless, the prevalent trend being followed by media organizations needs to be revisited with increasing focus on social problems in order to ensure a robust society”.
Journalist Wasif Nagi said that emerging electronic media could play a vital role in addressing social issues as the news channels could reach a wider audience as compared to print media. “However this does not mean that print media has no role to play”, he said adding, “it has its own significant role in highlighting issues concerning people.”
Aaj TV correspondent Akhtar Hayat said, “Except few, the electronic media is not focusing on social issues faced by society”. Pakistan Today reporter Adnan Lodhi said the students should be sensitized about importance of investigative journalism. According to him, “the ratings’ race amongst media houses is a serious emerging concern; there policies being followed by media organizations need to be reviewed.”
He said instead of only airing political talk-shows, the media outlets should focus on social documentaries and programmes. He also urged students to focus on their studies and gain necessary media skills. Private TV channel reporter Shumaila Jaffrey said journalism being a responsible profession requires students to pursue media education with commitment.
Moeen Ahmed from GEO News said, “Media’s duty is to highlight issues so that concerned authorities take prompt action. Unfortunately people think that media is responsible to dispense justice to them however media is to highlight issues besides making people aware and educate not to take decisions.” Khalid Khattak from The News newspaper talked about emerging social media and said that the social networks including Facebook were contributing in dissemination of information and shaping public opinion.
A journalist Nadeem underscored the importance of practical training by adding that there was a need to update curricula being followed by journalism students.
Shahzada Irfan Ahmed from The News on Sunday underlined importance of follow-up stories saying online social networks could play an important role in this regard. A large number of students attended the seminar; journalists including Azhar Maqbool, Yousuf Abbasi and Amira Abrar were also present at the occasion.
Earlier, QMC Principal Prof Dr Irfana Maryum and Mass Communication Department in charge Saima Kausar introduced the college and the QMC mass communication department to the audience.
