Fairness is The Leading Light of a Journalist – Dr Mugheesuddin Sheikh

Commercialization is the great obstacle to freedom of Press. It has further empowered the billionaire media owners and gagged the voice of the working journalists. The fundamental principle of journalism is that; though the pen is mightier than sword; it should not inflict unjust wounds on the innocent by publishing false allegations, charges or libel. A journalist should be armed with the power of moral values and truth. Verification of events leads to truth. A journalist is prisoner of his conscience. Come what may, he is expected to speak the truth. Defiance of unlawful authority is the second nature of a true journalist. News is the social construction of reality therefore a journalist should be faithful to cultural values and national ethos. Journalists are the vanguard of civil liberties and basic human rights. Objectivity in journalism is a myth. Fairness is the leading light of a journalist.

These views were expressed by Dr. Mugheesuddin Sheikh an eminent Professor of media and Mass Communication studies, while addressing a training workshop of journalists at the University of Gujrat. The workshop is pitched on to explore innovative skills in print journalism. Today was the second day of the workshop.

Eminent national columnist and sterling journalist Irshad Ahmed Arif from Lahore addressed the workshop which isbeing attended by more than 70 participants. He was of the view that keeping in view the latest developments in electronic media and social media, column writing is coming to forefront as the most vital ingredient of print journalism. The first and the foremost requirement of column writing is an abundant stock of knowledge of variegated subjects and a continual growth in its ever-expanding boundaries. Secondly it requires deep, experiences. It is a challenging art and usually deeply entrenched journalists take to it. Thirdly it demands a fairly good taste of language and literature. Fourthly a columnist should not be prejudicial though he has his tilt of opinion or ideology. Earlier on Director Media and Publications Sheikh Abdul Rasheed opened the workshop. He appreciated the enthusiasm shown by the working journalists of Gujrat which was a testimony of their commitment to their profession. He also stressed the significance of refreshing professional competence by acquiring innovative skills.   Dr. ZahidYousaf Head Center for Media and Communication  Studiesdwelled on the fundamental concepts of journalism and its tools of trade.

President Gujrat Press Club Waseem Ashraf Butt thanked the UOG and the honorable guest speakers for developing the professional awareness of journalistic community of Gujrat

A Three Day Workshop on "Innovative Skills in Print Journalism" at UOG

Journalists are the expressive agents of peoples’ consciousness. Journalists in general and Regional journalists in particular need to continually acquire new innovative skills in the discharge of their duties efficiently. In the world of today there is an explosion of knowledge and spill over of information. We need to move on to investigative journalism, at the earliest. UOG in collaboration with the Press Club Gujrat shall endeavor to launch community Development Programs.

These views were expressed by Prof Dr Mohammad Nizamuddin Vice Chancellor University of Gujrat (UOG) while addressing a three Day Workshop organized jointly by Directorate of Media & Publications, Center for Media and Communication studies and Press Club Gujrat, entitled “To Explore Innovative Skills in Print Journalism”. Mr Waseem Ashraf President Gujrat Press Club in his address appreciated the progress being made by UOG by leaps and bounds, under the inspiring leadership of Dr Nizamuddin. Furthermore Dr Nizam has put into practice his vision of community academia linkage and launched many such innovative programs. In this context this workshop in another feather in his cap. I highly thank the university administration for their benevolent cooperation. I am pretty sure that this workshop will add to our skills and professional capabilities. Renowned cartoonist Shaukat Maxim said that professional training and acquiring of new skills add to the professional competence of journalists. Mr Taseer Mustafa a senior Journalist and head of Communications Department of Leads University highly appreciated the workshop as a commendable step towards community development. All big leads in papers are generated by Regional Journalists. That is how and way we need to further consolidate regional Journalism. Prominent Journalist Naeem Mustafa said that UOG is no less than a blessing for Gujrat Journalists. Kudos to UOG which has pioneered the noble task of renovating journalists’ skills and empowering them with a new vision which so many universities functioning in big towns have failed to do.

More than sixty working journalists are attending this conference. On the second day of the workshop today, Dr Mugheesuddin Sheikh a renowned teacher of journalism and senior columnist Irshad Ahmed Arif will deliver lectures on journalistic ethics, column and editorial writing.

source:www.uog.edu.pk