Media literacy empowers people to be critical thinkers : Dr. Salma Umber

Lahore : “Media literacy empowers people to be both critical thinkers and creative.” This was stated by Dr. Salma Umber –Coordinator Mass Communication Department of Government College University Faisalabad who attended the Academia forum session organized by Individualland Pakistan (a research based consultancy organization) on 17^th November 2016 at (Government College University Faisalabad).

A participant at the event was of the view that “media reforms are essential because where there is information, there is enlightenment and with the help of these media reforms, students of mass communication will also benefit a lot.”

Bureau Chief of 24 News Zafar Dogar who also participated in the event stated “media is considered to be the fourth pillar of the state so it needs to play a responsible role in the society and also be impartial.” Another participant at the event stated “this session has enlightened me on media reforms and attending this discussion has been a great experience for me”.

Individualland Pakistan started working on an initiative in support with International Media Support (IMS) with the aim to build the capacity of the media houses (press clubs, union of journalists) on media security and ethics.

As part of the initiative, IL is conducting Academia Forums in different universities throughout the country during which discussions will take place on the charter developed on media reforms by media experts, CSOs and various stakeholders. The purpose of the charter is to augment the overall functioning of media and strengthen media pluralism.

The participants lauded the efforts of Individualland Pakistan in organizing such a great event and demanded such events should also be held in the future. Mr. Hamza Khan Swati moderated the event on behalf of Individualland Pakistan.