By Imtiaz Hussain
KHAIRPUR: Shah Abdul Latif University (SaLU) in Khairpur, in collaboration with the Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), has held a media literacy training session aimed at helping young people navigate the challenges of the digital age and use media in a responsible and constructive way.
The session, organised to sensitise students to the impact of media on society, was coordinated by Dr Ali Raza Lashari, coordinator of the university’s Student Society Centre. Addressing participants, Dr Lashari said the expanding influence of media made it essential to equip young people with critical thinking skills to counter misinformation, disinformation and the spread of hate narratives.
An in-depth training session was led by Professor Dr Mujeeb Rehman Abdo, master trainer and chair of the Department of Media and Communication Studies. He guided students on how to analyse media content, identify biased or false information, and use media as a positive tool for peacebuilding and social awareness. The session was interactive, encouraging dialogue and active participation from students.
Ms Sadia Larik, also a master trainer, spoke on the ethical and positive use of artificial intelligence, highlighting its potential in education, research and communication while cautioning against misuse and ethical risks associated with emerging technologies.
Another master trainer, Mr Mansoor, focused on the role of informed and responsible youth in shaping a healthy media environment, stressing the importance of promoting positive and fact-based narratives within society.
The training concluded with a collective pledge by participating students to share the knowledge they had gained. Many committed to organising similar awareness and training sessions in schools and colleges to promote media literacy and responsible digital citizenship at the grassroots level.
The initiative reflects Shah Abdul Latif University’s ongoing commitment to youth empowerment, critical education and the promotion of responsible media practices, in partnership with national organisations such as CPDI.
