Speech against national interest not freedom of expression

A special debate was held under the banner of Mass Communication Department of Minhaj University Lahore on the subject of “National Security and Role of Media”. The students participating in the debate said that speaking against the national security is not freedom of expression. They asked the media to ban those who speak against the national security and play their due role in connecting the youth with the ideology of Pakistan and sensitizing them about the national security challenges.

Dr Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, deputy chairman of BoG of Minhaj University, presided over the event whereas renowned anchorperson Mubasher Lucman spoke to the male and female students of the Mass Communication Department. MUL Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Aslam Ghauri, Head of the Department Madam Robina and PAT Secretary General Noorullah Siddiqi were also among the speakers on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, Mubasher Lucman said that today’s students are lucky that they are getting practical knowledge and information during the course of their academic studies. He said that Mass Communication is a sacred profession which is a source of comforting the humanity in distress by highlighting their agonies and travails. He said that those studying journalism and mass communications are not job seekers but job creators. He said that it is the age of social media, stating that with the help of the modern applications, one cannot only earn reasonable income in a dignified manner but also support other people do the same as well.

In reply to a question, Mubasher Lucman said that a democracy in which tragedies such as Model Town take place and innocent people are butchered, he does not consider it to be democracy. He asked the youth and students to adopt the habit of questioning. He said that they should certainly ask those who are in positions of authority regarding the performance of their assigned responsibilities. He said that it is by raising questions that the doors to improvement will open up. He said that we are a nation that has been pushing all the dirt under the carpet. He said that now that the carpet is being lifted, the extent of dirt and attendant stick is being known.

Mubasher Lucman said that there is a misleading notion that a journalist should not be biased. He said that a journalist is supposed to take positions on matters of national interest, national security and public welfare. He said that we have to clearly single out those who have damaged this country.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Hussain Mohi-ud-Din Qadri said that electronic media is the strongest of the voices in this day and age. He said that educated youth must try their luck in this profession as it is hugely rewarding. He congratulated the Head of Department and Vice Chancellor of MUL on arranging the debate.

The students asked questions about various aspects of theory and practice of journalism. Col. (r) Muhammad Ahmed, Col. (r) Mubashir Iqbal, Khurram Shahzad, Madam Samreen, Madam Rabia Ali, Tahir Shakeel, Rana Tanvir and Qazi Faiz-ul-Islam also attended the event.