To commemorate the World Press Freedom Day, the United Nations Information Centre jointly with Institute of Communications Studies, University of Punjab, hold a panel discussion at the Environmental Law Auditorium of Law College, New Campus, University of Punjab, Lahore.
The session started with the opening remarks by Prof. Dr. Mughees Uddin Sheikh, Director Institute of Communication Studies. He appreciated the huge gathering of the panelists and participants. He informed the audience about the revolutionary initiatives taken for making the Institute of Communication as the centre of excellence. He said that the Institute is one of the best communication Institutes in the world. It was followed by the messages of the UN Secretary-General, read by the Officer-in-Charge, UN Information Centre Ms. Ishrat Rizvi. Prof. Dr. Mughees Uddin Sheikh, Director Institute of Communication Studies moderated the session. The Discussion was focused on the issues of Press Freedom, Safety of Journalists and Impunity and A free, secure and independent press.
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Renowned panellists from the media and Ministry of Information, Mr. Irshad
Arif, Deputy Editor the Nation, Faiza Lateef, Assistant Professor, Lahore
Colege University, Absar Abdul Ali, Director press Institute of Pakistan,
I.H. Rashid, Freelance Journalist, Atta Ur Rehman, Senior Columnist, Dr. Miskeen
Ali Hijazi, former chairman Department of Mass Communication and Mr Taimoor
Azmat Usman, Secretary Information, Government of Punjab took part in the
discussion.
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A lively exchange of opinions ensued among the participants. Expressing their views in the discussions and responding to the questions from the participants' panellists contributed that expression of opinion and press freedom is a fundamental human right. They said that a free, secure and independent press is essential component for any society. Commercialization and other pressures are the main challenges for the independence of media. The constitution provides a full support and guidelines for the press freedom and their roles and responsibilities. Responding to a question of social responsibility and limit of press freedom, Secretary Information, Mr. Taimoor Azmat said that government believes in complete press freedom and the press today in the country enjoys much more freedom as compare to the past times. The role and responsibilities of the civil society, government, Institutions to protect the rights of journalists were highlighted. |
Approximately 450 people attended the session, most of whom were students
of Mass communication Departments from different universities in Lahore. Representatives
of academia, members from civic society, working journalists, media, and government
officials were also present at the session.
The session started at 11:15 am and finished at 1:30 p.m. Director, Institute
of Communication Studies, Prof. Dr. Mughees Uddin Sheikh presented souvenirs
to the panelists and thanked them and audience for their active participation
in the discussion.
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