Women Media Center Discusses Digital Media’s Rise & Print Journalism’s Decline

The print media once relied on rigorous

fact-checking, but the rise of electronic

media have compromised news accuracy

Staff Reporter

Karachi: The Women Media Center, founded by Fauzia Shaheen, hosted a conference titled “The Decline of Print Media, the Growth of Digital Media, and its Impact on Journalists.” The event featured senior journalists Syed Hasan Abbas, Editor of Daily Express and Chairman of the Constitutional Committee of PFUJ, and Abid Hussain, former Chief Reporter of Daily Jang and Daily Dunya, as guest speakers.

Challenges of Digital Media

Syed Hasan Abbas highlighted the shift in journalistic values, stating that while facts were paramount in print media, digital platforms often spread unverified information. He criticized the lack of fact-checking and emphasized the need for responsible reporting.

He also pointed out that journalism curricula in universities remain outdated, failing to equip students with skills relevant to today’s media landscape.

Impact of Breaking News Culture

Abid Hussain noted that print media once relied on rigorous fact-checking, but the rise of electronic media and the obsession with breaking news have compromised news accuracy. He stressed that many leading electronic media professionals have backgrounds in print journalism and urged students to uphold journalistic integrity.

Gender Bias in Journalism

Fauzia Shaheen, founder of the Women Media Center and Editor-in-Chief of Dastak magazine, addressed gender bias in media, stating that despite progress, women still face challenges in journalism. She encouraged aspiring journalists to persevere with dedication and hard work.

Engaging Discussion

The conference concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where students engaged with the speakers. Fauzia Shaheen expressed gratitude to the guests and participants for their valuable contributions.