Punjab University graduates vow to follow media ethics

LAHORE – For the first time in the country’s history, media students took oath to abide by journalistic values and ethics at their graduation ceremony in Punjab University yesterday.

“Media has the power to present truth as false and a fake story as a truth because it can create any perception about any incident in the world. Hence every journalist should prioritize the responsible journalism,” Vice Chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran said while addressing the ceremony at Institute of Communication Studies (ICS).

Dean Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences Dr Zakaria Zakir, Controller Examinations PU Dr Shahid Muneer, In-charge Director ICS Dr Noshina Saleem, senior journalist Dr Mahdi Hassan, Salman Ghani, Najam Wali Khan, anchorperson Imran Khan, Ahmad Waleed, Mian Habib ullah several other journalists, faculty members of ICS, students and their parents were also present in the graduation ceremony.

Giving the example of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting incident in US, Prof Mujahid Kamran said that it was a mock exercise by security forces and was presented by media as a terrorist attack in which news of death of students was also spread.

In actual, not a single student lost his life in that incident, renowned writer Jim Fetzer in his book No Body Died in the Sandy Hook also claimed this and revealed the truth behind this, Dr Mujahid added.In-charge Director ICS Dr Noshina Saleem also spoke.

The ceremony conferred degrees on total 249 students of different study programs including Masters, BS (Hons) and PhD will receive their degrees. 39 medals will be distributed among the shining students whereas 33 students of BS (Hons) 2010-14, 49 students of MSc Communication Studies (morning), 59 MSc Communication Studies (Replica), 89 MSc Development Journalism and 18 students of MSc Film and TV.

Source.The Nation