Int’l media persons desire close cooperation to tackle hi-tech era challenges

ISLAMABAD, May 13 (APP):Foreign and local media experts at the inaugural session of the two-day International Conference of News Agencies (ICNA) here Sunday deliberated on a host of challenges confronted by regional news disseminating bodies, stressing an extended cooperation among regional media organizations for their capacity building on modern lines.
They highlighted the importance of promoting cooperation among news agencies of the Muslim and regional countries to reduce dependence on other news sources, particularly Western news agencies.
Delegates from over 18 countries are participating in the conference titled “Pakistan’s Media – Opportunities and Challenges”, organized by Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) aiming at highlighting Pakistan’s constructive image and to promote collaboration among news disseminating bodies to cope with the challenges of media revolution.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb was the guest of honor, while National Security Adviser Nasser Khan Janjua was the chief guest at the inaugural session.
Acting Secretary Information and Broadcasting Shafqat Jalil highlighted aims and objectives of the conference and said free and vibrant media was guarantor of people’s rights and protector of democracy.
In Pakistan, he said freedom of expression and access to information was guaranteed under the Constitution and at present there were over 100 television channels, 75 FM radio channels and over 2000 newspapers and periodicals in the country.
He wished all the success for the conference and hoped the participants would come out with some constructive suggestions.
In his opening remarks, Managing Director APP Masood Malik said the ICNA would help identify the technical and professional areas for strengthening collaboration, and chalk out a strategy to face challenges in the world of digital media.
He said the conference would help promote people-to-people contacts, portray a holistic picture of success stories of a peaceful Pakistan and provide the participants an opportunity to exchange of views on news dissemination.
In all, three sessions were conducted Sunday wherein the media persons from participating countries urged collaboration among news agencies to cope with the challenges of media revolution.
Speaking in the first session, the experts stressed the need for gate-keeping social media by enacting international as well as national laws to ensure filtering of fake information, and discouraging propaganda against any particular group or society.
Chairman Department of Media and Communication Studies, International Islamic University, Dr Zafar Iqbal said in modern times, the state’s responsibilities had increased manifold and it has to protect its citizens from misuse social platforms.
He proposed to set up analysis centers to avoid extremist sentiments on social media, a research based watchdog at the state level and educate children on use of social media.
Senior journalist, Ziauddin said the developed countries had strict regulations on use of social media as countries like Germany had passed laws to fine websites propagating hate material.
He said social media and the digital sphere offered a great new opportunity for journalism, enabling reporters to tell stories in different ways but those who indulge in propaganda were also making use of data with considerable success, spreading misinformation to promote their own agenda.
Head of Department Mass Communication NUML, Mufti Jamiluddin said social media revealed a lot of information but there was a question about authenticity that had increased responsibility of print and electronic media to disseminate authentic and reliable information.
He said the correspondents of news agencies were more responsible and hoped they would continue playing their positive role.
Dr Jabbar from Rifah University pointed out that media could play role in shaping behavior of society, government and particularly mindset of the society.
He said in the wake of abundance of news information pouring out in the social media, the role of news agencies had become even more important.
During the interactive session, News Editor Union of OIC News Agency, Saudi Arabia Elsadig Bashir underlined the need for providing correct information by the government officials that could make the media persons to avoid misreporting.
Dr Zafar Iqbal stressed proper implementation of media related laws and said although most of the countries around the globe including Pakistan had laws regarding access to information but these laws could not be implemented fully.
Former federal minister for information Javed Jabbar suggested that representatives of news agencies from across the world should form a federation and meet annually to share ideas, experiences and strategies to keep growing their role in a challenging age of digital media.
“We are all in a phase when all information on media is in the palm of your hand. All communication is instant and this is an incredible revolution and the world has seen an exponential media growth and explosion of information,” he said.
He said media needed to increase its professional capacity, enhance research and explore to show the reality to people and avoid suppression of information and sift what was worth reporting.
In his speech, senior journalist from APP Shafik Qureshi urged the need for strong collaboration between news agencies to meet challenges of changing times and for adoption of modern technologies. “We live in a world of microblogging, social media and artificial intelligence and in an age where fake news travels faster than factual news. The news agencies need to remain relevant, multiply their subscribers and come up with solid strategies to thrive and compete.”
Munir Ahmed, a veteran journalist said journalists always faced restrictions and news agencies needed a paradigm change to come out of the systemic crises faced by them due to emerging technologies and other impediments.
Meanwhile, the participating delegates described the conference as a good effort to bring closer news agencies working in different countries. “Holding of this conference is the best idea as it will unite Muslim countries, especially news agencies at one platform. This practice should continue as it will usher a new era of cooperation among news organizations,” said Seyed Bahador Hosseini, Bureau Chief, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) of Iran.
He stressed increased cooperation between IRNA and APP and suggested exchange visits of the top management of the two news organizations to set bilateral news exchange program on modern lines.
Director Video News Department, Bulgarian News Agency, Borianka Dimitrova stressed the need for agreements between Pakistan and her country to enhance information and news sharing.
She said objectivity and reliability were the two main pillars to promote media organizations in the current times. Media laws in Bulgaria were actually protecting the media outlets from political and economic influence as she also stressed to learn from each other’s experiences.
Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Head of English Department Muhammad Mazen Ayon also stressed connectivity and exchanging media persons’ visits and signing agreements between the news agencies.
Gumel Mekova, Chief Correspondent Azerbaijan State News Agency said Azerbaijan wanted enhanced bilateral cooperation in all spheres.
Mohammad Mehdi Rahimi, General Director of Domestic News, Mehr News Agency Iran said that Iran was giving more importance to news from Pakistan as it was its neighboring country and anything happening in Pakistan had impact in Iran.
Eliswan Azly from Indonesian news agency Antara desired expanded news and videos exchange with APP as he stated that there were 113 channels in Indonesia and Antara needed footages from Pakistan.
The Antara has the plans to disseminate news stories and video footages to newspapers and TV channels free of charge in next two years.
Michalis Psilos, Chief Executive Officer of Greek news agency ANA expressed the need for inking a news exchange agreement with the APP saying Pakistan was a very important country and Greece wanted to promote bilateral relations with Pakistan.
Muhammad Usman of Sudan News Agency (SNA) felt the need for a prompt and efficient news exchange service.