DR. ZAFAR IQBAL’S STATEMENT REGARDING UNTOWARD HAPPENING AT A SEMINAR ON“FREEDOM AND LIMITS: A GRAND DIALOGUE”

This statement of mine is  regarding a seminar titled “Freedom and Limits: A grand Dialogue” held on October 03, 2022 (Monday) was organized by the Department of Media and Communication Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) of International Islamic University (IIU) at the Faisal Masjid campus in Allama Iqbal auditorium.

Renowned journalist/ Anchor Mr. Saleem Safi  was honored to grace that scholastic and esteemed debate where unfortunately he uttered few remarks against the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI) and its international stature that led to bad taste to a very constructive and fruitful academic dialogue.

The remarks passed by Mr. Saleem Safi were clearly beyond the limits of the topic and theme of the grand debate as well as it did hurt the sentiments of the IIUI community including teachers, employees and students.

In the inception of the seminar,  I had already set the tone of the seminar based on the academic and scholastic grounds but the statement passed by Mr Saleem Safi was  never near to the intended  objectives of that constructive activity. Unfortunately  , Mr. Saleem Safi , leaving behind  the academic purpose of the seminar, used that platform to convey his personal disagreement  that he had no right to do so. Resultantly, it is very unfortunate that  the happening caused bad taste to a very constructive and fruitful academic dialogue

The event was addressed by journalists Aizaz Syed , Matiullah Jan, Tanzeelah Mazhar and Asad ullah Khan and Head of the Department of Media and Communication Studies Dr. Syed Inam ur Rehman.

The speakers discussed various topics such as cross media ownership, hardships of the practicing journalists, poor quality of content on social media and its acceptability in the society. The speakers agreed that there is a dire need that the gap between the media and academia must be bridged while academia must come forward to help out media in bringing the high quality content best in the interest of society.

Speaking on the occasion, I (Prof. Dr. Zafar Iqbal) said that there must be a Grand National dialogue on the neglected issues that go unaddressed in the competition of rankings. I suggested a paradigm that may guide the media on shaping content according to the needs of society. He also discussed conflicts in the media industry and cross media ownership.

Famous journalist Aizaz Ayed stressed that students must also study books in addition to the circular books. He advised the students that they must dig into details before being judgmental based on the little information. He called upon academia to introduce the students with contemporary trends . Asad ullah Khan said in his remarks that the difference of opinion must be dealt within the limit of ethics.

Tanzeela Mazhar discussed the relationship of media and society and opined that both are hand to mingle when it comes to shaping content according to the needs and likings of the society. She stressed that poor quality content, fake news and sensationalism must be discouraged.

Mattiullah Jan said that debate is necessary in society as it will invite collective responsibility. He suggested that there must be a consortium based upon the leading media research faculty members across the country that should release an annual report on media content.

At the end, in his vote of thanks, Dr. Syed Inam ur Rehman apprised of the objectives of the seminars and suggestions. He said the department shall continue to arrange such constructive activities in future as well.

Professor Dr. Zafar Iqbal
Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, IIUI