Lahore: The 11th MCAP-BNU International Media Conference concluded at Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore, bringing together academics, journalists, policymakers, and media professionals from Pakistan and abroad to deliberate on critical challenges facing contemporary media and communication.
Jointly organized by the Media and Communication Academic Professionals (MCAP) and Beaconhouse National University (BNU), the two-day international conference focused on the theme “Reclaiming Hope: Media, Activism & Social Justice” addressing the growing need for ethical journalism, inclusive narratives, and regional media cooperation in an era of rapid digital transformation.
The conference was inaugurated by Dr Moeed Yusuf, Vice Chancellor, Beaconhouse National University, along with Javed Jabbar, Amb Mansoor Ahmed Khan, Prof. Dr Bushra H. Rehman and Prof. Svetlana Bodrunova. In his inaugural remarks, Dr Moeed Yusuf emphasized the importance of critical engagement with information and the role of academic institutions in strengthening media literacy and responsible knowledge production.
In the 2-days, the conference featured a series of plenary sessions, parallel academic discussions, and interactive forums addressing a wide range of themes, including a workshop on “Chinese Art in the Digital Age”, along with reimagining journalism for social justice, media activism and the rights of marginalized communities, digital inclusion, ethical challenges in contemporary media, and the impact of emerging technologies on journalism.
Key discussions also explored regional media collaboration, with particular reference to China-Pakistan media cooperation, cross-border academic exchange, and the role of media literacy in enhancing regional understanding and connectivity.
The conference brought together a distinguished group of international participants and national panellists from across Pakistan, including Prof. Dr Nico Carpentier, Prof. Dr Jeffrey Wimmer, Prof. Dr Fatima Elzahra, Prof. Dr Jason Gainous, Mazhar Abbas, Talat Hussain, Fariha Idrees, Nasir Jamal, Salima Hashmi, Seemi Raheel, Muneeza Jahangir, Nadia Jamil, Usman Peerzada, Mahnoor Chaudhry, Dr Altaf Ullah Khan, Dr Khalid Jamil Akhtar, Dr Taranjit Singh Butalia, Fareed Ahmed Tareen, and many other scholars and practitioners.
On the occasion, the lifetime achievement honour was awarded to Mr. Javed Jabbar for his contributions to the media and communications industry.
In addition to plenary discussions, the conference hosted parallel research sessions, career counselling and consultancy sessions, and technical and creative workshops, encouraging academic collaboration, professional development, and dialogue between scholars and practitioners
The 11th MCAP-BNU International Media Conference 2026 concluded with a renewed emphasis on media literacy as a foundational tool for informed citizenship, inclusive storytelling, and constructive regional and global engagement.
