President, PM hail newspapers on National Readership Day

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Speaker of the National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq issued separate statements on Friday to mark National Newspaper Readership Day, each emphasising that newspapers retain an important role in public life despite the growth of digital media.

According to Dawn, President Zardari's message was conveyed through a statement issued by the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS). In that statement, the president reaffirmed the role of the press as the Fourth Estate in protecting the rights of citizens. Dawn reported that the APNS statement also drew attention to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and the targeted dissemination of fake news and disinformation campaigns. The newspaper did not provide the full text of the president's message.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also felicitated the nation on the occasion, Dawn reported. The prime minister stressed the continuing importance of newspapers at a time when fake news, misinformation and disinformation are spreading rapidly. His message was released as part of the observance of National Newspaper Readership Day, according to the report.

In a separate statement reported by the Associated Press of Pakistan, Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said on Friday that newspapers continued to be relevant in the digital media era. He described newspapers as a reliable source of authentic news, comprehensive analysis and credible information. The APP report did not include additional remarks from the speaker.

The messages came as media organizations and press bodies across the country observed National Newspaper Readership Day. The day is used to promote newspaper reading and to recognise the work of journalists and publishers, according to the reports. Both Dawn and the APP reported that officials pointed to the spread of unverified content on digital platforms as a key challenge.

Dawn's report said the APNS statement referred to challenges arising from rapid technological change and the spread of misinformation. No further details from the president, the prime minister or the speaker were immediately available.