Prominent Journalists Discuss the Challenge of Fake News at Greenwich University

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Greenwich University’s Department of Media, Art, and Design hosted a compelling panel discussion titled "Navigating Fake News in the Digital Era" on May 22 at its DHA campus. The event brought together several renowned media professionals who shared candid insights into the growing menace of misinformation and disinformation in today’s digital landscape.

The two-session panel featured leading names in journalism, including Manzar Naqvi, Syed Khalid Mahmood, Mazhar Abbas, Mubashir Mir, and Muhammad Nazakat Ali. Their thought-provoking commentary engaged a diverse audience of students, scholars, and media practitioners, sparking meaningful dialogue on digital journalism, ethics, and media responsibility.

Moderated by veteran journalist Iqbal Jamil and Dr. Sundus Basharat Ahmad, Assistant Professor and Programme Manager of International Relations at DHA Suffa University, the event was a showcase of expertise and experience in tackling fake news.

The first session, led by Dr. Sundus Basharat Ahmad, featured Mazhar Abbas (Senior Journalist and Columnist, Geo News/Daily Jang), Mubashir Mir (Senior Journalist and Resident Editor, Daily Pakistan), Tariq Moin Siddiqui (Bureau Chief, Geo News), and Syeda Hoor Shumail (Editor-in-Chief, Pakistan State Time). The discussion highlighted the media’s ethical responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of unbiased and fact-based reporting. Panelists also reflected on the challenges media organizations face when navigating state narratives, especially in sensitive contexts such as international conflict.

The second session, moderated by Iqbal Jamil, focused on the role of digital media literacy in combating misinformation. Panelists included Manzar Naqvi (Editor-in-Chief, The Financial Daily), Syed Khalid Mahmood (Journalist, Author, Blogger), Muhammad Nazakat Ali (Chief Editor, KarachiObserver.com), and Ali Asghar (Senior Journalist, PTV News). They offered real-world examples and called for collaborative strategies to counter the spread of fake news across digital platforms.

Speakers underscored the importance of media literacy, urging joint efforts by media houses, academia, and civil society to foster critical thinking and safeguard the integrity of information. It was noted that audiences increasingly rely on traditional and credible sources, such as established newspapers, to verify digital content.

The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where attendees posed insightful questions to the panelists. The exchanges were handled with clarity and openness, reinforcing the educational value of the discussion.

In their closing remarks, Iqbal Jamil, Dr. Uzma Qazi, and Dr. Sabir Ahmed reaffirmed Greenwich University’s commitment to promoting ethical journalism and announced plans for similar initiatives in the future.

The panel discussion was praised as a timely and impactful initiative. Many students expressed that they left the event better informed and more aware of their role in discerning truth in the digital age.