News Desk |
Firdous Ashiq Awan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, on Thursday stressed that media has an integral role to play in maintaining peace and stability across Pakistan. Speaking at the certification distribution ceremony of the First Professional Management Course organized by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Department, Firdous Ashiq Awan stated that a responsible media has a key role in actualizing the dream of a developed and prosperous Pakistan.
She emphasized that all private media outlets are making contributions in their own capacity but there is great need to use modern technology and explaining the dynamics of international relations and politics to the people. Firdous Ashiq Awan stated that as the mouthpiece of the government, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting seeks to work with private media houses and publishing platforms to highlight regional and international issues and eliminate chaos that ensues when confusion prevails.
Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan stressed upon the need to build up the capacity of media houses, digital media platforms, and media persons to present Pakistan’s narrative as we continue fighting the fifth generation hybrid war.
Highlighting the hazards of negativity stirred by the media, Dr. Awan stated that fueling the fire of political instability and economic challenges with exaggerated media reports would not only promote chaos at home, but it would also undermine foreign investments. “When media starts selling negativity, the overseas Pakistani sitting abroad will hesitate while making investments for the betterment of their country upon hearing news of bad governance, job insecurity, and other qualms”.
Dr. Awan stressed that the dream of a prosperous Pakistan can only be actualized when the media takes an active effort to present a positive image of the country. Highlighting the challenges of transitioning from print to electronic media, Dr. Awan stressed that it is a powerful tool to empower and inform the public the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is committed to build up the capacity of using social and digital media as a powerful tool in the fifth generation hybrid warfare.
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Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan stressed upon the need to build up the capacity of media houses, digital media platforms, and media persons to present Pakistan’s narrative as we continue fighting the fifth generation hybrid war. She added that the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is committed to empowering journalists and media houses, broadening their vision and presenting Pakistan’s true identity and integrity in the international community, which has been previously distorted and misrepresented for decades.
She stressed, “Marketing Pakistan’s true picture in the international community is indeed our biggest challenge”. She shared, “I have been committed to the capacity building and empowerment of the mushroom growth witnessed in our private media industry, and we seek to find new ways to empower and strengthen them.”
Dr. Firdous stressed that the PTI-led government is actively engaged in promoting and strengthening media, and is fully committed to uphold the basic constitutional right of freedom of speech.
Referring to local media houses and journalists, Firdous Ashiq Awan noted, “These are our unguided missiles that are brimming with ammunition, but they need to be directed and targeted so they can benefit the country. Unguided missiles often end up undermining political stability and national interests due to misfire and the force that should target the enemies of Pakistan ends up harming the national security of our country instead”.
Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan stressed the need to align the efforts of private media houses and journalists with the agendas of the government by holding extensive workshops and dialogues where federal ministers, provincial governors and policymakers can interact with the media and inform them of the challenges faced by the country.
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The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting urged all media persons and journalists to disseminate accurate information and eliminate confusions and chaos amongst the public as opposed to aggrandizing it. Dr. Firdous stressed that the PTI-led government is actively engaged in promoting and strengthening media, and is fully committed to uphold the basic constitutional right of freedom of speech.