Pakistan-China Media cooperation termed vital for fighting disinformation

Chinese and Pakistani Media has pledged together to counter propaganda through enhanced communications and building stronger linkages by creating the “China-Pakistan Media Corridor”.

This was discussed during the First China-Pakistan Media Forum held with the thematic objective of “strengthening China Pakistan relations through informed dialogue”. The forum was organized by the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies in Islamabad.

It was urged that the China-Pakistan Media should work together for a lasting and unified response to false information.

It was decided that the Media Forum should be organised regularly to deal with the challenges and build opportunities for working together.

Distinguished speakers from both countries aimed at strengthening the ties between China and Pakistan and to boost relations through enhanced channels of communications.

Farhat Asif, Founder, China-Pakistan Media Forum and Institute of Peace and Development Studies in her opening remarks, said that this platform has been established to build stronger ties amongst the media groups from both sides.

She further added the China Pakistan Media Forum strengthens the bond not only in the news but other important ways of communications, including films, drama, TV, travel guides, translations, and other services.

Speaking on the occasion, Faisal Javed Khan, Chairman, Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting said that there are continuous attempts to jeopardize the Pak-China relationship and damaging the CPEC through fake news and propaganda.

But media from both Pakistan and China will counter these negative narratives that are artificially generated to damage the Pak-China relationship and reframe them with more efficiency for better building of relations.

Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Nong Rong said that China and Pakistan are facing strong media propaganda and disinformation.

Some external forces are hostile and are trying to undermine the development of China and Pakistan systematically.

Both sides of the media should work to promote truth, justice, and fairness and become a positive force for regional peace and stability.

In order to promote the understanding of Chinese and Urdu languages, China has launched an Urdu media service to counter the negative public opinions and strengthen mutual collaboration. Ambassador Nong also proposed ways to further strengthen collaboration in the media.

Ambassador of Pakistan to the People’s Republic of China Moin-ul-Haque said that in this digital age, media is not just the source of information but it influences public opinions and inter-state relations.

China Pakistan Media collaboration can deepen the relations and help understand each other’s points of view.

As well as the technological evolution and developments in the geopolitical arena have rendered the role of media very important in shaping narratives.

A large number of Chinese and Pakistan media representatives, Journalists students, faculty mem-bers, and civil society leaders have joined this hy-brid event.