IBA-CEJ Celebrates 10 Years of Shaping Journalism in Pakistan

Karachi – The Center for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) at IBA Karachi marked a major milestone by celebrating its 10-year journey of strengthening journalism in Pakistan with a grand event titled “A Decade of Excellence” at the JS Auditorium, City Campus.

The event brought together leading journalists, media professionals, academics, diplomats, and students to honor IBA-CEJ’s role in building ethical, innovative, and impactful journalism that empowers democracy and society.

Dr. S Akbar Zaidi Highlights Future of Journalism

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of IBA Karachi, emphasized the importance of CEJ in both academia and media practice. He highlighted the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and stressed the need to re-examine the role of journalism in Pakistan.

“Journalism must continue to create meaningful dialogue between jamhooriyat (democracy) and sahafat (journalism) for the greater public good,” Dr. Zaidi said, appreciating the long-standing support of the U.S. Consulate Karachi.

U.S. Consul General Reaffirms Support for Press Freedom

Mr. Scott Urbom, U.S. Consul General in Karachi, praised CEJ’s decade-long partnership with the U.S. government in promoting press freedom, freedom of expression, and citizen empowerment.

He called CEJ a pioneer in advancing professional journalism in Pakistan, training the next generation of reporters, and fostering transparency and skills development. Urbom reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to supporting journalism institutions in Pakistan that strengthen democracy and international cooperation.

Hamid Mir and Azhar Abbas on Challenges Facing Pakistani Media

Renowned journalist Hamid Mir shed light on the growing censorship and restrictions faced by the media in Pakistan. He highlighted how interviews and programs are often blocked, raising concerns about press freedom and democratic values.

Senior journalist Azhar Abbas echoed these concerns, noting that many journalists are being harassed and silenced, while newsrooms are under immense pressure to avoid critical questions.

CEJ’s Role in Training Journalists

Shahzaib Jillani, Director IBA-CEJ, thanked partners and participants for supporting CEJ’s decade-long journey. He reflected on how thousands of journalists have benefitted from CEJ’s workshops, media training, and fact-checking initiatives, which continue to strengthen independent journalism in Pakistan.

The event also featured panel discussions on artificial intelligence in journalism, disinformation, and fact-checking, led by young innovators and the iVerify team.

Global Voices on CEJ’s Impact

Prominent figures including Dr. Ishrat Husain, Former Dean of IBA Karachi, and Dr. Lawrence Pintak, Founding Dean of Murrow College of Communication, Washington State University, shared video messages reflecting on CEJ’s achievements and global impact.

Since its inception in 2015, IBA-CEJ has trained thousands of reporters, editors, and media professionals, making it a leading hub for journalism training in Pakistan.