ISLAMABAD
\nThe speakers at a consultation forum on Sunday stressing the importance of a media-literate society said the approach was essential for cultivating a constructive and an informed societal discourse. The second provincial consultation was organized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in collaboration with Media Foundation 360 at DHA Suffa University, Karachi, which gathered input from key stakeholders for developing Pakistan\u2019s Media and Information Literacy (MIL) strategy.
\nThe speakers called for incorporating the MIL into the national curriculum at the primary level, and discussed exploring the delicate balance between media regulation and control. The consultation prioritized inclusivity through diverse representation and brought together policymakers, media professionals, academics, and civil society experts, all contributing insights to the draft MIL strategy for Pakistan.
\nThe prominent speakers included Mayor of Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Senator Sarmad Ali, Senator Faisal Sabzwari, Group Chief Business Recorder Shahab Zuberi, Managing Director GEO News Azhar Abbas, Analyst Dr. Huma Baqai, Archaeologist Dr. Asma Ibrahim, Resident Editor Daily Pakistan Karachi Mubashir Mir, Cheif Librarian Agha Khan Univeristy Dr. Midrar Ullah, Journalist Afia Salam and Vice Chancellor DHA Suffa University Karachi Brig. Prof. Dr. Ahmed Saeed Minhas.
\nProf. Dr. Savera Shami, Research Lead on the MIL strategy Chairperson of the Department of Digital Media, Punjab Universtiy outlined the consultation\u2019s objectives, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement in shaping a contextually relevant framework.
\nThe participants unanimously recognized the importance of safeguarding freedom of expression as a fundamental right while stressing that it must not be exploited to propagate disinformation or misinformation, which can erode societal trust and disrupt constructive dialogue.
\nThey underscored that robust and effective governance by the State is pivotal in shutting down avenues that enable the spread of misinformation and disinformation. They highlighted that good governance, marked by transparency, accountability, and proactive policy measures, plays a fundamental role in protecting the integrity of the information ecosystem.
\nThe event featured three focused sessions, each addressing key dimensions of Media and Information Literacy. The first session, \u201cBuilding Resilient Societies: Media and Information Literacy as a Pillar of Social Cohesion,\u201d explored how MIL can strengthen social harmony by fostering critical thinking and informed engagement.
\nThe second session, \u201cBuilding a Comprehensive Framework: The Convergence of Media, Information, and Literacy,\u201d emphasized the need for an integrated approach to equip citizens with essential skills to navigate the digital landscape.
\nThe final session \u201cCultural and Linguistic Diversity: A Cornerstone for Shaping MIL Policies\u201d highlighted the importance of embedding Pakistan\u2019s rich cultural and linguistic diversity into MIL policies, ensuring inclusivity and relevance while empowering communities through culturally sensitive strategies. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD The speakers at a consultation forum on Sunday stressing the importance of a media-literate society said the approach was essential for cultivating a constructive and an informed societal discourse. The second provincial consultation was organized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in collaboration with Media Foundation 360 at DHA Suffa University, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":447047,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-447031","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n