Islamabad: The Event organized jointly by 4thpillar Vigilant Media Watchdog and the Young Journalists Association took place at the historic and serene site of Shah Allah Ditta. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs, Aziz Shah Ali Shah, attended as the chief guest and he hosted a lavish luncheon.
The gathering aimed to guide young working journalists on utilizing digital technology to create a secondary source of income while maintaining strong ethical standards. Farooq Mirza, President of 4thpillar urged participants to embrace ethical journalism principles and explore online platforms for additional earnings from home. This approach, he said, would safeguard their dignity, self-respect, and professional independence.
Farooq Mirza also called for resolving government-media conflicts at an early stage to prevent escalation to legal issues or arrests. He advised rigorous content verification to steer clear of fake news and disinformation networks.
In a collaborative effort to empower the young journalists with modern digital skills and employment prospects, a one-day dialogue was organized focusing on digital platforms, freelancing, internships, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Zeeshan Shah emphasized the government’s commitment to equipping young Journalists with contemporary digital competencies. He stated that the Prime Minister’s Youth Program is actively working to provide quality training and practical exposure in the digital economy, enabling youth to secure honorable jobs, freelancing gigs, and sustainable income sources.
Syed Zeeshan Ali Naqvi highlighted that freelancing and digital entrepreneurship have emerged as powerful tools for economic independence among the youth. He stressed that without high-quality skill development and real-world opportunities, long-term progress remains elusive. He also noted ongoing efforts to expand programs related to employment and internships in collaboration with relevant chambers and stakeholders.
Muhammad Suleman Butt, a prominent Pakistani-American entrepreneur and associated with relevant international bodies shared insights on expanding employment initiatives. Other speakers included Muhammad Yousuf Khan, President of the Journalists Association, who explained that the dialogue aimed to align youth with evolving market demands and introduce them to emerging digital job avenues.
Farah Qasim, Vice President of the Federal Union of Journalists, along with Abdul Wahid Khan, President of the Private Schools Association Islamabad, Zaid Hashmi (CEO of a related center), CEO of Digital X, event host Philip Mar (or similar), and Sobana, Secretary General of the organizing agency, were among the key participants. Journalists including Ayesha Naz, Sobana Hart, Ghazal Seth, and others from various media organizations also attended.
