IBA CEJ Celebrates 10 Years of Shaping Pakistan’s Media Landscape

Karachi: The Center for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) marked a decade of transformative impact on Pakistan’s media industry with its milestone event, “A Decade of Excellence,” held at the JS Auditorium, City Campus.

This grand celebration brought together prominent journalists, media professionals, academics, diplomats, and students to honor CEJ’s contributions to fostering ethical journalism, innovation, and press freedom in Pakistan.

A Decade of Impactful Journalism Training

Since its inception in 2015, IBA-CEJ has been a cornerstone in advancing professional journalism in Pakistan. The center has trained thousands of journalists, introduced ppioneering fact-checking initiatives, and collaborated with international partners to elevate media standards. Through workshops, fellowships, and innovative programs, CEJ equips journalists with the skills to navigate the evolving media landscape, emphasizing ethical reporting, transparency, and citizen empowerment.

Key Highlights from the Event

Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of IBA Karachi, underscored CEJ’s pivotal role in bridging academia and media practice. He highlighted the rise of Artificial Intelligence in journalism and called for meaningful dialogue between democracy and journalism to serve the public interest.

Mr. Scott Urbom, U.S. Consul General in Karachi, praised CEJ’s partnership with the U.S. government in promoting press freedom. He lauded the center for nurturing courageous journalists and fostering stronger ties between nations through initiatives that uphold freedom of expression.

– Renowned journalist Mr. Hamid Mir addressed the challenges facing Pakistani media, including censorship and restrictions on open dialogue. He emphasized the need to protect press freedom to safeguard democratic values.

– Mr. Azhar Abbas highlighted the pressures on newsrooms, where journalists face harassment and limitations on their right to question authority.

– Mr. Shahzaib Jillani, Director of IBA-CEJ, expressed gratitude to partners and journalists for their support, reflecting on the center’s success in shaping industry-ready professionals.

The event featured dynamic panel sessions, including a thought-provoking discussion on Artificial Intelligence in journalism by young innovators and a presentation on countering disinformation by iVerify. Video messages from notable figures like Dr. Ishrat Husain, Former Dean & Director of IBA Karachi, and Dr. Lawrence Pintak, Founding Dean of Murrow College of Communication, celebrated CEJ’s achievements and its role in media development.