Media Literacy Essential to Counter Digital Propaganda, Says DG PID Lahore

In a world where digital battlegrounds often precede physical ones, media experts are calling on students to arm themselves with critical thinking skills to combat false narratives. Speaking at a seminar in Lahore, government officials and academics emphasized the crucial role young people must play in an era dominated by digital misinformation.

“Students can play a vital role in curbing the spread of false narratives and ensuring that truth prevails over propaganda,” said Shafqat Abbas, Director General of Pakistan Information Department (PID) Lahore, during the seminar titled “Peace Diplomacy in the Age of Digital Extremism.” The event, held at Punjab University’s Department of Media Development Communication, brought together students, academics, and media professionals to discuss emerging challenges in the digital information landscape.

Abbas highlighted how modern conflicts now begin in digital spaces rather than traditional battlefields. “Narratives are distorted, facts manipulated, and perceptions weaponized long before any physical conflict begins,” he noted, citing recent tensions between Pakistan and India as an example. Within minutes of the Pahalgam attack and during periods of heightened border tensions, coordinated digital propaganda campaigns were launched to shape international perceptions.

This rapid spread of misinformation presents unique challenges for Pakistan’s global messaging efforts. In environments where unverified content can circle the globe in minutes, Abbas stressed the importance of equipping youth with media literacy skills to ensure Pakistan’s perspective reaches international audiences in a timely and credible manner.

The growing dependence on social media platforms for news consumption further complicates the information ecosystem. Dr. Ayesha Ashfaq, Assistant Professor at the university, presented concerning statistics about Pakistan’s digital landscape. According to her research, 66.9 million Pakistanis use TikTok, 55.9 million use YouTube, and 49.4 million use Facebook – often relying on these platforms as primary news sources rather than traditional media outlets.

“Misinformation and disinformation have become more dangerous than conventional weapons in today’s world,” Dr. Ashfaq warned. Despite widespread smartphone adoption among young people, she identified a significant gap in digital literacy that leaves many vulnerable to manipulation and false information.

Senior journalist Muhammad Dilawar Chaudhry emphasized personal responsibility in the digital sphere, urging attendees to recognize that “extremism begins when people attempt to impose their ideas and beliefs on others by force.” He challenged students to verify information before sharing and to expand their knowledge base to resist propaganda efforts.

The seminar underscored the importance of educational institutions in fostering critical information consumption skills. Abbas called for universities and colleges to integrate digital awareness and ethical communication practices into their curricula, positioning media departments as frontline defenders against information warfare.

The event concluded with a robust question-and-answer session where students engaged directly with speakers, demonstrating the high level of interest in combating digital extremism among Pakistan’s youth. The organizers presented shields to the guest speakers in recognition of their contributions.

This seminar reflects growing concerns across Pakistan and globally about the weaponization of digital platforms. As social media continues to dominate information consumption patterns, particularly among younger demographics, education systems face increasing pressure to develop new approaches to media literacy that can keep pace with evolving technologies and tactics.

For a country like Pakistan, navigating complex regional relationships and international perceptions, developing a digitally literate population represents not just an educational priority but a matter of national security in an increasingly connected world.