'Media's role in society' highlighted at FC College
Media and Its Role in Society was organized by the Department of Mass Communication, FC College
LAHORE: Media has been playing a key role in increasing awareness of the people in society and contributing towards promotion of democracy and democratic norms.
This was the crux of a session on the topic of “Media and Its Role in Society’ organized by the Forman Journalism Society of the Department of Mass Communication, FC College, Lahore. The session was attended by a large number of students and teachers, including FC Vice Rector Dr Sufian Aslam and Dean of Humanities Dr Waseem Anwar. FJS Adviser Faiza Rafiq welcomed the guests on their arrival.
The session opened with listing some facts about the media such as the number of channels in operation at the moment. Then some concerns and perceptions were listed. Most of them were the concerns media students share regarding functioning of the media in the current era, in particular about the choice of issues the media covers and the content of programs.
The speakers shed light on society’s overall inability to resolve conflicts and how media helps by providing alternative perspectives for a healthy debate in society.
Most speakers agreed that media has transformed the society and raised people’s awareness, which is important in forming balanced opinions. However, a need was stressed for increased tolerance in all segments of society to resolve conflicts. It was also agreed that issues of public importance such as education, health and civic amenities needed to be given more coverage.
There was an enlightening Question-Answer session at the end. Students, in their comments and questions, compared the foreign media’s narrative about Pakistan and Pakistani media’s counter-narrative.
Laal Band’s lead singer and guitarist, Taimur Rahman, who also teaches at LUMS, also voiced his opinion on this occasion. He shed light on the sacrifices the journalists have been making for freedom of expression. The session ended with his dynamic musical performance which was well appreciated by the audience.
