KARACHI: The Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2016, was passed by the Sindh Assembly in March 2017 for promoting transparency in the working of provincial authorities by securing citizens' access to information. A 2-day seminar was concluded by the Friedrich Nauman Foundation (FNF-Pakistan) on Sunday.
The main objective of the seminar was to capacitate journalists on the use of Right to Information law for investigative reporting and countering fake news.
While addressing the journalists, Muhammad Anwar, Head of Programs and Administration at FNF Pakistan, said journalists can promote investigative journalism through the use of RTI. This ultimately strengthens the credibility of their stories, he further added.
While sharing the legislative landscape of RTI in Pakistan, Syed Raza Ali, RTI activist, explained there are five RTI laws in Pakistan. He further explained, Being the 4th pillar of democracy, journalists are the representatives of the people in terms of using RTI Act for investigating and publicizing information of public interest. Gathering information through RTI Act, especially young journalists, can contribute to ensuring transparency in public, professional, and social spheres.
While talking about critical thinking to counter fake news, it is important for every journalist to know how to check facts and report, said Mr. Ross Mahtani, a minority rights activist. It is a time for news media to tack more closely to professional standards and ethics, to avoid the publishing of unchecked information. Investing in critical thinking is more important than ever, as it helps to limit the risks of disinformation posed by the advent of technologies such as the internet and artificial intelligence, he further added.
Mr. Shahid Jatoi, Information Commissioner of the Sindh Information Commission, addressed journalists and mentioned that 292 out of 360 complaints have been resolved. The Commission is dedicated to protecting citizens' right of access to information under the Act. Mr. Jatoi urged journalists to file information requests to hold officials accountable, he further added.
Ms. Naz Baloch, former parliamentarian, concluded the seminar by stating that the media should adhere to media ethics instead of focusing on breaking news to counter fake news. She further added that we should follow the quote of Quaid-e-Azam, "Unity, Faith, and Discipline.
More than 24 journalists from various media outlets attended the seminar and commended the efforts of FNF-Pakistan for organizing such a seminar and called on the journalists' organizations to hold similar sessions for young journalists in order to promote investigative reporting.
