Peace Journalism Forum

Media has great potential and ability for cultivating common basis for conflict transformation

“Media’s ability to reach and influence masses, can play a positive role in shaping the course of a conflict. Influence of media and its ability to bring positive social change should be constructively used to spread awareness for peace promotion” said experts during an event, organized at Lahore Press Club.

The event was jointly organized by Bahawalpur Press Club and Lahore Press Club to strengthen collaboration between both the journalists’ bodies for sensitization and capacity building of member journalists in order to promote peace and tolerance in the society. Senior journalists and members of Peace Journalism Forum from Bahwalpur also attended the event.

Speaking on the occasion, President Lahore Press Club, Mian Shahbaz welcomed the journalists and members of Peace Journalism Forum from Bahawalpur and offered full support of Lahore Press Club by extending their cooperation for building the capacity of journalists.

Mian Shahbaz said that “fair and responsible journalism and media content that builds confidence and counteracts misperceptions has great potential in both conflict prevention and transformation”. He further added that “support from government, civil society and academia can contribute to this potential by facilitation and promotion of pluralism in the communication environment and ethical standards in journalism”.

Speaking to the participants, senior journalist and columnist, Dr. Mujahid Mansoori said that “The perception that journalists ought to be ‘neutral’ needs to be overcome. There is a very fine line between discarding one’s objectivity and viewing events with a certain attitude towards conciliation”. He added, that “media are usually run for profit, and, moreover, conflict sells better than cooperation, journalists should ensure balanced reporting with a view to preventing the escalation of tensions. It is possible to move in this direction by covering peace initiatives - thus reducing the negative potentials of the media in conflict situations”.

Speaking on the occasion, senior broadcast journalist and TV anchor Asif Ali Bhatti said that “considering continuously increasing influence of media over social attitudes; efforts to strengthen capacities of journalists can focus on creating an open media culture that allows different voices to emerge and be heard, enhancing professional training and education for journalists, and evaluation of media’s performance with reference to the notion of social responsibility”.
“Today I would like to congratulate Lahore Press Club and Bahawalpur Press Club for their collaborative approach and including local actors including reporters, editors and academia in capacity building process”, added, Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Chairman Media Studies, International Islamic University.