‘Media literacy termed cornerstone of democracy’

Rawalpindi: Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting, Barrister Danial Chaudhry, emphasized that media literacy is the cornerstone of democracy, particularly in this digital era marked by the rise of misinformation and fake news. He was addressing the Media Literacy Summit 2025: Empowering Minds in the Digital Age, organized by the Department of Communication and Media Studies, Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU).

The event brought together renowned national and international journalists, media professionals, educators, and digital strategists for a day of critical dialogue and collaboration.

Chaudhry assured the Ministry's full support for FJWU's media education initiatives, emphasizing the government's commitment to fostering credible journalism. "We must create sustainable platforms that empower young journalists with truth and accountability," he stated.

Hamid Mir, Senior Journalist and Guest of Honour of the first session, highlighted that objectivity remains the soul of journalism, and that only truth can counter the growing menace of disinformation. He shared how fake news campaigns, such as those against the polio vaccination drive, have harmed national interests.

Muhammad Malick, veteran journalist and guest of honour of the second session, stressed that media literacy must go beyond theory. “The real challenge lies in newsroom practices, where speed often overtakes accuracy. We need to train our future journalists not just in tools, but in values,” he said.

David Hayward, former BBC broadcaster, joined the summit through a recorded keynote and underscored the importance of transparency, trust, and accountability in public broadcasting. He advocated for media literacy education at all levels, stating that “teaching the younger generation how to recognize and challenge misinformation is no longer optional, it’s essential.”

Prof. Dr. Bushra Mirza (Pride of Performance, T.I.), Vice Chancellor, Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), underscored the importance of fact-checking and verification before the consumption and dissemination of media content.