In a compelling seminar titled ‘Media and Democracy: An Essential Partnership,’ renowned journalist Hamid Mir emphasized the interdependence of a strong democracy, free media, and an independent judiciary. Held at the Centre for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ), Institute of Business Administration (IBA), the event was organized in collaboration with the School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS), IBA, and Free Press Unlimited (FPU).

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Mir, known for his fearless reporting from conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Kashmir, underscored that Pakistan’s survival hinges on these three pillars. “Pakistan can’t survive without strong democracy, strong democracy can’t survive without free media, and free media can’t survive without an independent judiciary,” he asserted.

Dr S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of IBA Karachi, delivered the keynote speech, where he highlighted the vital role of free media in democracy. “Democracy requires a free and transparent media where journalists and reporters can speak the truth to those who hold power and public office,” he stated. Dr Zaidi lamented the current stifling of media in Pakistan, stressing that true democracy is unattainable without media freedom.

Adil Jawad, a seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience, addressed the issue of impunity in journalist murders in Pakistan. He noted that such impunity is alarmingly common but emphasized ongoing efforts to combat it. “We are laying important pieces of a puzzle at the moment. If we are able as civil society to engage with the authorities, we have a chance to finally decrease impunity rates in the murders of journalists,” he said.

Panelist Lynne O’Donnell, who has extensive experience as a foreign correspondent, spoke about the overwhelming abundance of information available online. She noted the paradox of journalism’s apparent thriving amidst a shrinking space for quality journalism. “Our integrity as journalists, and the veracity of our work are persistently and consistently undermined,” O’Donnell remarked, calling for a redefined purpose for journalism in the digital age.

The seminar was moderated by Amber Rahim Shamsi, a journalist with two decades of experience. She highlighted the impacts of global populism, social media’s takeover of news distribution, and emerging technologies on journalism. Shamsi described the seminar as an opportunity to explore the future of journalism in both global and Pakistani contexts and to find solutions for these challenging times.

The event concluded with a dynamic question-and-answer session, allowing attendees to engage directly with the panelists on the critical issues discussed.

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