IUB organized a webinar on the theme “War Conflicts and Ethical & Responsible Journalism.”

PRO No. 222/25 dated 16.06.25
Directorate of Public Relations
The Islamia University of Bahawalpur
Webinar on War Conflicts and Ethical Journalism Held at IUB
The Department of Media and Communication Studies at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) organized a webinar on the theme “War Conflicts and Ethical & Responsible Journalism.” The event was graced by the Vice Chancellor of IUB, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kamran, as the chief guest. Prominent participants included Prof. Dr. Rubina Bhatti, Dean Faculty of Media Studies; Dr. Malik Muhammad Adnan, Chairman, Department of Media and Communication Studies; renowned journalist and analyst Sarwar Munir Rao; senior analyst Dr. Farhat Abbas Shah; and Lt. Col. (R) Dr. Asad Mehmood Khan. The webinar was organized by Assistant Professor Dr. Syed Awais Hassan Gilani. In his address, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kamran congratulated the department for organizing such a significant event at a critical time, calling it a remarkable achievement. He praised the role of the national media during times of conflict, stating that responsible reporting helped unite the nation and earned international recognition, unlike the Indian media, whose misleading coverage became a subject of ridicule. He stressed the importance of strengthening systems to counter modern technological threats such as artificial intelligence, satellite surveillance, and cyber warfare. Speaking at the event, Sarwar Munir Rao highlighted the increasing difficulty of maintaining journalistic neutrality during times of war, noting that "the first casualty in war is the truth." He emphasized that in the age of real-time reporting, journalists must consider official facts, better facts, and “sweet” facts, always keeping nationalism in mind. He also acknowledged the pressure of government policies on independent journalism but encouraged reporters to adapt their storytelling while staying committed to truth. Lt. Col. (R) Dr. Asad Mehmood Khan discussed the influence of AI and social media in modern warfare. He pointed out the ethical responsibility of journalists in choosing which information to report or withhold, especially when drone journalism operates alongside military forces on the ground. Dr. Farhat Abbas Shah remarked that complete neutrality in journalism is nearly impossible, stating that faith and conviction play a vital role. He advocated for a value-based, analytical approach to journalism, grounded in social, moral, and religious ethics — even extending respect to the enemy's dead. He added that international media is also often driven by national interests rather than objectivity. Prof. Dr. Rubina Bhatti emphasized that moral compromise begins when one works under an agenda. She lauded the department for organizing a timely and essential webinar, which aimed to enhance students’ professional capabilities through interaction with experienced journalists and experts. Dr. Syed Awais Hassan Gilani highlighted the challenges Muslims face in Western media, where false propaganda often portrays them as terrorists. He called for strategic countermeasures to address this issue. Chairman Dr. Malik Muhammad Adnan thanked all the guest speakers and organizers for their valuable contributions. The webinar saw enthusiastic participation from faculty members and students, including Associate Professor Dr. Abida Noreen, Dr. Hanan Khan Tareen, Dr. Qamar-ul-Zaman, Dr. Majid Raza, Dr. Shafaq Manzoor, Agha Sadaf Mehdi, Zain Zamir, and Maham Shams.