ISLAMABAD: Speakers on Wednesday urged journalists to pursue offbeat stories about marginalised communities to make their work relevant in the age of social media.

A workshop titled, ‘Reporting Rights Violations and Faith-based Persecution in Pakistan’, was organised by Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), which was attended by media experts and academics.

Mainstream journalists and social media content creators took part in the sessions, which provided an opportunity to share experiences and adopt best practices for balanced and impactful reporting on rights violations and instances of faith-based persecution.

They were briefed on techniques for identifying fake news on social media. Asad Baig, media trainer and founder of digital media startup incubator Media Lab, said the space for mainstream journalists had shrunk due to social media.

Dr Khalid Masud, ad hoc member of the Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court, said there was a need to move from exclusionary identity politics to an integral, pluralistic framework.

“Journalism can help society towards bringing integration and pluralism,” he added.

Zafarullah Khan, civic educator and expert on parliamentary affairs, said the Constitution was a unifying force, and it ensured certain guarantees and fundamental rights to all religious minorities and marginalised groups living in the country.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2026