WEB DESK: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has suggested forming social media teams within D-8 countries to promote narratives around economic development while countering Islamophobia and terrorism.
Speaking at a D-8 media forum in Baku today, he proposed conducting joint training sessions and workshops on crisis reporting, digital forensics, and addressing the challenges posed by disinformation practices.
He also advocated for establishing a joint working group comprising media ministries and professionals, which would convene regularly to share insights and expertise.
The minister encouraged D-8 nations to collaborate in combating online extremism and hate speech across the region. He emphasized Pakistan’s priority on transparent communication, strengthened digital representation, and enhanced coordination among media entities.
Discussing Pakistan’s strategic communication policies and crisis management efforts, the minister revealed ongoing initiatives to modernize media platforms, enhance the capacity of public broadcasters and digital outlets, and provide advanced tools and training for these institutions.
He added that Pakistan is focused on building the capacities of media professionals, offering them modern skills, and spreading media literacy among the public to help them identify and counter misinformation effectively.
Attaullah Tarar acknowledged the rapid evolution of the global information landscape, which is being reshaped by the speed, scale, and impact of modern technology.
He underscored the importance of harnessing digital media as the quickest channel of communication. To this end, he called for uniting digital natives with digital immigrants to enhance mutual understanding and collaboration.
Finally, he highlighted the need for both state and private media organizations to work collectively in fostering responsible journalism, promoting ethical reporting, and ensuring accurate storytelling.
