AIOU launches media dialogue series

Islamabad
The Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) on Thursday formally launched media dialogue series, bringing academicians and journalists together to educate students on important issues.
It also aimed at establishing a communication link between media and universities in constructing and promoting healthy environment for the overall socio-economic development of the country, said AIOU Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Shahid Siddiqui while addressing the media dialogue meeting.
It will be a regular series in which eminent journalists will be invited to talk about the media’s role in social reformation.
The AIOU has already undertaken five series of dialogue to promote cultural, social and literary activities. These include skilled-based research lectures, distinguished lecture series, book & author series, research colloquium and awareness & advocacy series.
The vice chancellor lauded the role of media in projecting human rights and the real issues concerning people. He said the media paid heavy price and lost important journalists in bravely fighting the evils of society. The media, he said, had always been on forefront in projecting democratic norms and human values. The journalists’ writing is highly important, since it represents the true feelings of the people, he added.
A senior journalist, Khawar Ghuman, spoke at the inaugural media dialogue session. His talk was focused on the role of media in democratic governance. He shared his experience with the participants on the role the present’s day media in servicing the cause of the masses. He was the view that the media is not supposed to give judgment on what happens every day in society, but it needs to pass on factual information to the people in an unbiased manner.
AIOU Department of Mass Communication Chairman Dr. Syed Abdul Siraj addressed the event and appreciated the worthwhile contribution of the media in reforming society, particularly its role as a ‘watchdog’. The media, he said serves as an important bridge between the government and the people in addressing issues of national importance. He emphasised that the media should continue to play a leading role for peace and prosperity of the country.
Associate Professor Saqib Riaz also spoke on the occasion, stating that the media is an integral part of society and it massively influence the government‘s decisions and development of public opinion.