KARACHI: Speakers at a consultation forum on Sunday stressing the importance of a ‘media-literate’ society, said the approach was essential for cultivating a constructive and an informed societal discourse.

The second provincial consultation was organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organ­ization (Unesco) in collaboration with Media Foundation 360 at DHA Suffa University, which gathered input from key stakeholders for developing Pakistan’s Media and Information Literacy (MIL) strategy.

The speakers called for incorporating the MIL into the national curriculum at the primary level, and discussed exploring the delicate balance between media regulation and control.

The consultation prioritised inclusivity through diverse representation and brought together policymakers, media professionals, academics, and civil society experts, all contributing insights to the draft MIL strategy for Pakistan.

Key stakeholders ponder over Media and Information Literacy strategy

The prominent speakers included Mayor of Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Senator Sarmad Ali, Senator Faisal Sabzwari, Group Chief of Business Recorder Shahab Zuberi, Managing Director of GEO News Azhar Abbas, Analyst Dr Huma Baqai, Archaeologist Dr Asma Ibrahim, Resident Editor of Daily Pakistan, Kara­chi,M­ubashir Mir, Chief Librarian of Aga Khan University Dr Midrar Ullah, Journalist Afia Salam and Vice Chancellor of DHA Suffa University Karachi Brig Prof Dr Ahmed Saeed Minhas.

Prof Dr Savera Shami, Research Lead on the MIL strategy Chairperson of the Department of Digital Media, Punjab University, outlined the consultation objectives, emphasising the importance of stakeholder engagement in shaping a contextually relevant framework.

The participants unanimously recognised the importance of safeguarding freedom of expression as a fundamental right while stressing that it must not be exploited to propagate disinformation or misinformation, which can erode societal trust and disrupt constructive dialogue.

They underscored that robust and effective governance by the state was pivotal in shutting down avenues that enable the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

They highlighted that good governance, marked by transparency, accountability, and proactive policy measures, played a fundamental role in protecting integrity of the information ecosystem.

The event featured three focused sessions, each addressing key dimensions of MIL.

The first session, “Building Resilient Societies: Media and Information Literacy as a Pillar of Social Cohesion”, explored how the MIL could strengthen social harmony by fostering critical thinking and informed engagement.

The second session, “Building a Comprehensive Framework: The Convergence of Media, Information, and Literacy”, emphasised the need for an integrated approach to equip citizens with essential skills to navigate the digital landscape.

The final session, “Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: A Cornerstone for Shaping MIL Policies”, highlighted the importance of embedding Pakistan’s rich cultural and linguistic diversity into MIL policies, ensuring inclusivity and relevance while empowering communities through culturally sensitive strategies.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2024