Eminent journalists shed light on fake news in engaging discussion at Greenwich University

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A few of the big names of the media industry candidly shared their views during a highly engaging panel discussion titled ‘Navigating Fake News in the Digital Era’ which was organized by the Department of Media, Art and Design at the DHA campus of Greenwich University on May 22. 

The panelists, during the two sessions, which included the likes of Manzar Naqvi, Syed Khalid Mahmood, Mazhar Abbas, Mubashir Mir and Muhammad Nazakat Ali, enlightened the gathering with their thought-provoking narratives. 

The moderators, Iqbal Jamil and Dr Sundus Basharat Ahmad, handled the team of leading journalists, editors, and media professionals impressively as they addressed the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation in the current digital landscape. 

The event drew a large audience comprising students, scholars, and media practitioners who participated in meaningful discussions on journalistic ethics, digital literacy, and the evolving responsibilities of the media at the university auditorium. 

The panel discussion was divided into two insightful sessions. Moderated by Dr Sundus Basharat Ahmad, Assistant Professor and Programme Manager, International Relations, at DHA Suffa University, the panel featured Mazhar Abbas, Senior Journalist and Columnist, Geo News and Daily Jang, Mubashir Mir, Senior Journalist, Analyst, and Resident Editor, Daily Pakistan, Tariq Moin Siddiqui, Bureau Chief, Geo News, and Syeda Hoor Shumail, Editor-in-Chief, Pakistan State Time. 

The session focused on the rapid spread of misinformation and emphasized the ethical obligations of media professionals to ensure fact-based, impartial, and transparent reporting. It was also explained how the media outlets were bound to take the word of the authorities in certain matters like war between countries. 

Veteran broadcast journalist, Iqbal Jamil, moderated the other session which explored the role of digital journalism and media literacy in combating fake news. 

The panelists included Manzar Naqvi, Editor-in-Chief, The Financial Daily, Syed Khalid Mahmood, Author, Journalist, Blogger, and Analyst, Muhammad Nazakat Ali, Chief Editor, KarachiObserver.com, and Ali Asghar, Senior Journalist, PTV. 

The learned speakers shared real-world examples and stressed the need for robust strategies to identify and counter fake news on social media and other digital platforms. They called for enhanced media literacy and joint efforts by media institutions, academia, and civil society to cultivate critical thinking and ensure information integrity. 

It was highlighted that people in general were getting reluctant to believe the information coming from digital media until the same was being reported by a credible source like established newspapers. 

The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, during which the participants were allowed to engage directly with the panelists. A few probing questions were also asked which were dealt coolly and logically. 

In closing remarks, Iqbal Jamil, along with Dr Uzma Qazi and Dr Sabir Ahmed of Greenwich University, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to promoting responsible journalism and announced plans to continue hosting similar initiatives to support ethical media practices.

The panel discussion on such a relevant and burning issue was indeed a wonderful initiative on part of Greenwich University and their students generally felt enlightened and educated after attending it.