Quetta: Responsible journalism can promote peace and harmony in society, said speakers during an event held in Quetta, on Saturday.
A session titled “Role of journalists and scholars in promoting peace and conflict resolution” was held on the second day of “Two day event on peace through interfaith dialogue and cultural harmony.”
This event was conducted by We the Humans, Pakistan in collaboration with Pak-US Alumni Network (PUAN), Health and Nutrition Society (HnNuts), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and Civil Society Balochistan, in Boy’s Scout Association Hall on Friday and Saturday.
In two day event different sessions were conducted on peace, culture, inter-faith harmony, education, music and media. Youth participated in huge numbers in all sessions of the event on both days.
Interest of media owners prevents media from promoting peace and harmony – Shahzada Zulfiqar
Speaking in the session on media, Shahzada Zulfiqar, President of Quetta Press Club said that Society should confirm news reported in media before acting on them to ensure peace and harmony.
He added, “Media has extra freedom in some areas and it can’t over certain areas and it’s an inconvenient fact.”
Mr. Zulfiqar lamented, “Interest of media owners result in preventing the media on reporting certain issues of public importance and therefore media not always promote peace and harmony.”
Saleem Shahid, senior correspondent of Dawn in Balochistan, said that “Ethics of Journalism changed due to commercialism.” He argued that when media lack ethics then it threatens the peace and harmony rather than promoting it.
Ali Raza Mongol, a trade unionist and scholar, was of the view that role of media is very important because it controls minds of the masses. “Media is controlled by capitalists for more exploitation and therefore it can’t bring peace or harmony in society,” he added.
Shams ul Mulk, a human rights defender and author said, “Media has lost its credibility due to dissemination of a lot of negative news in an irresponsible manner.”
Speakers of the session agreed on the view that media can only promote peace and harmony when responsible journalism is practiced.
I have been secretary education of Balochistan for more than a decade and the education we teach cannot resolve conflict – Munir Badini
Earlier in the day, a session with the title of “Role of education in conflict resolution” was held in which Munir Ahmed Badini, former Secretary Education, was the speaker.
Mr. Badini admitted that society is presently facing a lot of problems which ultimately result in conflict. He was of the view that Solution of conflict lies in thinking and education.
He admitted that “I have been secretary education of Balochistan for more than a decade and the education we teach cannot resolve conflict.”
Imdad Baloch, CEO of HnNuts, appreciated the two day event for its theme. “It was out of the ordinary event on peace and harmony where matured youth learnt the importance of peace and interfaith harmony.”
By participating in this event, youth gave a silent message that they are tired of blood shed and dream for a peaceful society – Jalila Haider
Jalila Haider, CEO of We the Humans – Pakistan was optimistic about the impact made by the event. She said that this event will help in promotion of diversity and tolerance which is the need of the hour.
“Pashtoon youth were dancing on Hazargi music and Hazara youth were dancing on Balochi music and it was the positive impact of the event,” claimed Miss Haider.
She further added, “By participating in this event, youth gave a silent message that they are tired of blood shed and dream for a peaceful society where no one shall be judged on the grounds of their caste, creed, ethnicity, gender and religion but on one grounds of humanity.”
Others who participated in the event included Tahir Hussain Khan Vice Chairman of HRCP, Gul Khan Naseer President of PUAN Quetta Chapter, Raza Wakeel of HDP, Sami Zarkoon Convener of Civil Society Balochistan, Sultan Tareen manager Training SEHER.
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