The first-ever two-day Sahafi Summit was held in Karachi to discuss at length fast emerging challenges to journalism in Pakistan, including threats to independent news media from digital disinformation and financial cuts.
Co-organised by Digital Journalists of Pakistan and Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Centre for Excellence in Journalism
8217;s (CEJ) Media Matters for Democracy in partnership with UNESCO Pakistan, the EU; the embassies of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Sweden in Pakistan an
d the DW Akademie in Karachi, the event was held from May 2 to May 3.
The national convention brought together journalists from the print, digital, and broadcast media working for a variety of mainstream
and independent news publications all over the country.
UNESCO Pakistan Represe
ntative, Vibeke Jensen welcome
d the participants at the event and reiterate
d the importance of independent media to build inclusive societies.
Over 100 print, digital and broadcast journalists visited national journalists’ conven
tion
The summit generated robust
and inclusive discussions on the current challenges faced by the news industry in Pakistan, which include the coordinated and malicious spread of disinformation; the crisis of media literacy; regulations an
d the broadcast media
8217;s struggling business model for revenue generation.
Its breakout sessions tackled diverse themes
and issues related to the media, such as the effects of disinformation on credible journalism; verification in the digital era an
d the need for media
and information literacy.
The challenges faced by Pakistani women reporters were also discussed along with Pakistan
8217;s media economy including the issue of mass layoffs, investment in digital news and services an
d the role of news media owners.
EU
8217;s ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Jean-François Cautain delivere
d the concluding remarks on the first day.
Kingdom of the Netherlands ambassador to Pakistan H.E. Ardi Stoios-Braken delivere
d the closing remarks at the second and last day of the summit.
They both recalle
d the key role of free media for any robust democracy.
The convention ended on May 3 with a message to stand united against digital, physical, and financial threats to journalists in Pakistan.