Seminar on press freedom: Speakers call for elimination of fake news

LAHORE (92 News) - The speakers including politicians, renowned media personalities and policymakers called for effective measures to do away with fake news phenomenon and legislation to handle the unbridled media content as well as social media.

At a seminar on "Role of PFUJ in Ensuring Press Freedom, Discouraging Fake News & Implementing Media Laws" it was resolved not to tolerate any restrictions on freedoms of media as well as the practice of rendering the news anchors off-air.

Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, International Federation of Journalists and Center for Democracy and Climate Studies organized the event.

The PFUJ leadership asked the government to approach them along with the evidences in case any institution had any complaint against any news anchor. They also called for equal air time to all the political parties putting aside the personal biases, in true spirit of the journalistic principles.

PFUJ Secretary General Rana Azeem, in his welcome remarks, said the social media had led to the unbridled media which necessitated the proper legislation by the government to ensure its productive use instead of the political victimization.

Lahore Press Club president Azam Chaudhry, highlighting the vitality of media for societal reformation, opposed the approach of linking fake news with the media freedom.

PFUJ vice president Saima Warraich said the dearth of investigative journalism gave way to the fake news. He said a journalist could safeguard his credibility only by reporting truth.  

Moderated by prominent anchorperson Fareed Rais, the seminar was addressed by Punjab Senior Minister Mian Aslam Iqbal, Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Omar Sarfaraz Cheema, Jamat-e-Islami secretary general Liaquat Baloch, Shehzad Cheema of Pakistan People's Party, Lahore Press Club president Azam Chaudhry, Salman Ghani and Habib Akram.