DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Advisor to Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Information & Public Relations Barrister Dr. Saif underscored the urgent need for responsible use of social media and an accountability framework to address the growing misuse of information in the digital age.
Highlighting the widespread misuse of digital platforms for disinformation, medical misinformation, and character assassination, he emphasized that the remedy lies not just in legal frameworks but also in cultivating moral responsibility and ethical media education. “The issue is sociological and psychological before it becomes legal.
Our behaviors, urges, and societal values must be reoriented to respect truth and dignity.” He also expressed concern over fragmented audiences on social media and how monetization without accountability is influencing public discourse.
“When a person earns revenue by misrepresenting facts, there must be a mechanism for holding them accountable,” he said. “The current global digital structure benefits from our markets but remains immune to our laws.”
The Minister highlighted how today, misuse of information—now supercharged by digital platforms—has metastasized into new forms of societal harm: misinformation in health, manipulation in politics, religious hatred, and the erosion of family values. He warned of the growing fragmentation of society caused by social media echo chambers, stating, “People no longer read newspapers or watch full-length analysis. They consume sensational clips devoid of context, forming dangerous opinions. The monetization of controversy has replaced journalistic integrity.” Referring to international best practices, he praised Taiwan’s inclusion of digital media literacy in school curricula and called on Pakistan to emulate such models. Quoting Hazrat Ali (RA), he said, “Educate your children not for your time, but for their time.” Concluding his remarks, the Minister reiterated the need to distinguish between news and opinion, promote academic and journalistic integrity, and integrate accountability into media economics.
“Media is no longer just about information—it is a marketplace of influence. And like all markets, it needs rules, ethics, and enforcement,” he added.
