LAHORE: (Thursday, November 2, 2023): Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood has said that in the present era, it is very important to provide awareness to prevent false and fabricated news, for which young students have to play a role. He expressed these views while addressing a seminar on Media Literacy organized by Punjab University Department of Development Communication Studies in collaboration with Urban Unit P&D;Government of Punjab at Al Raazi Hall. On this occasion, Chairperson Department of Development Communication Studies Dr Ayesha Ashfaq, Manager Communication Urban Unit Maimoona Arslan Bhatti, Senior Journalist Wasif Nagi, Renowned Anchor Person Ajmal Jami, Producer Naveed Nasim, Sarmad Sufyan, Chief Librarian Urban Unit Shahrbano Faizi, Maira Sarfraz, Senior Faculty. Members and a large number of students were present.

In his address, Dr Khalid Mahmood said that Punjab University produced big names in the field of journalism. He said that policy makers must know how important global media and information is. He said that even highly educated and high-ranking people share wrong news without thinking, which creates problems. He said that censorship or controlling mechanism is failing miserably in stopping fake news. He said that it was not possible to stop the news that should have happened, but it can be remedied with awareness and training. He said that students must participate in politics so that the country gets better leadership. He said that it is the responsibility of teachers to highlight intellectual thinking in their students. Wasif Nagi said that 63% of the country's population uses the Internet day and night, for which the role of educational institutions and media is very important.

Ajmal Jami said that the trend on social media has eliminated the distinction between right and wrong, which is causing harm to the country. Dr Ayehsa Ashfaq said that according to the contemporary digital requirements, it is necessary to make our students information and media literate. It is the need of the hour that our students must know how to analyses critically and click wisely to identify fake news and misinformation in Pakistan. Maimoona Arsalan said that the people should learn to choose the right communication platforms regarding their rights and duties. Naveed Nasim, Sarmad Sufyan, Shahrbano and Maira Sarfraz also expressed their views in the seminar. Later, souvenirs were presented to the distinguished guests.