Imran Zakir
KARACHI: Naz Baloch, former parliamentarian, urged the media to curb information
pollution, instead of focusing on breaking news to counter fake news when she was addressing in the concluding session of the 2-day workshop organised by FNF Pakistan, here at a local hotel, Sunday.
Naz Baloch, former parliamentarian, has urged the media to curb information pollution, instead of focusing on breaking news to counter fake news when she was addressing the concluding session of the 2-day workshop organized by FNF Pakistan, here at a local hotel, Sunday.
She stressed on the media to eliminate polarization, hate and negative culture from the society, stand with truth which is the real essence of journalism. We need accountability that ultimately turns into tolerant and Inclusive Pakistan.
She said that the media should adhere to media ethics instead of focusing on breaking news to counter fake news. She further added that journalists should adhere to media ethics and we have followed the quote of Quaid-i-Azam, “Unity, Faith, and Discipline”.
A 2-day seminar was organised by the Friedrich Nauman Foundation (FNF-Pakistan) on Saturday and Sunday to capacitate journalists on the use of Right to Information law for investigative reporting and countering fake news.
While addressing the journalists, Muhammad Anwar, Head of Programs and Administration at FNF Pakistan, said journalists can promote investigative journalism through the use of RTI. This ultimately strengthens the credibility of their stories.
While talking about critical thinking to counter fake news, it is important for every journalist to know how to check facts and report, said Ross Mahtani, a minority rights activist. It is a time for news media to tack more closely to professional standards and ethics, to avoid the publishing of unchecked information. Investing in critical thinking is more important than ever, as it helps to limit the risks of disinformation posed by the advent of technologies such as the internet and artificial intelligence, he further added.
Shahid Jatoi, Information Commissioner of the Sindh Information Commission, shared his pro- long struggle and Challenges faced in the past for the cause of RTI.
He mentioned that 292 out of 360 complaints have been resolved. The Commission is dedicated to protecting citizens’ right of access to information under the Act. Jatoi ensured the journalists for his office full support to file information requests to hold officials accountable.
Syed Raza Haider Shah moderated the 2-day workshop.