Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi has said Pakistan is desirous of enhancing cooperation with the United Kingdom in the field of media.
He was talking to British High Commission’s Political Counselor Zoe Ware, who called on him in Islamabad on Friday.
The Minister said Pakistan attaches great importance to its relations with the United Kingdom.
They exchanged views enhancing media cooperation and bilateral relations, countering the narrative of hatred and disinformation. UNDP’s Safe Digital Environment programme also came under discussion.
Murtaza Solangi said UNDP’s Safe Digital Environment programme will help identify disinformation and narrative of hatred. He said this project will enhance knowledge, skill and capacity of key government organizations and their functionaries to identify disinformation and hatred being spread in the online space. He said misinformation, disinformation and fake news is a global issue and there is a need to overcome this challenge. He said fake news, circulating on the social media, is the biggest challenge.
The Minister vowed to take help from Britain’s modern media syllabus for the training of journalists.
He said Information Service Academy will play a lead role in this regard. He said awareness sessions will be organized at the academy regarding the disinformation and hate narrative.
During the meeting, views were also exchanged on bilateral cooperation in the fields of film and drama.
Murtaza Solangi said film and drama play a cardinal role in highlighting culture and positive image of a country. He also informed the Political Counselor about activities regarding the upcoming polls in the country. He said elections will be held as per schedule to be announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
The Political Counselor of the British High Commission assured her full cooperation to promote bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.
