The International Conference on Media and Crises (ICMC) is a landmark academic initiative by the Government of Pakistan to highlight the role of communications in conflicts and violence regionally and globally. The conference, held annually since 2019, features national and internationally renowned academic scholars, senior journalists, government officials, communication experts and crisis specialists.
The International Conference on Media and Crises (ICMC) is a landmark academic initiative by the Government of Pakistan to highlight the role of communications in conflicts and violence regionally and globally. The conference, held annually since 2019, features national and internationally renowned academic scholars, senior journalists, government officials, communication experts and crisis specialists.
While the Coronavirus is a health crisis first and foremost, it is also important to note that it has been a major communications challenge, also referred to as an ‘infodemic’. As governments and the public alike struggled to understand the virus and the measures needed to be taken, a lot of information and misinformation was seen on issues ranging from awareness of the symptoms, to education on treatments and prevention, and guidelines for people living in their homes, and businesses on tackling this emergency. In this regard, a number of key institutions and organisations have played critical roles in the communication sphere, by informing the public through formal and social media, providing clarity on the complexity of the virus, and helping dispel falsehoods and conspiracy theories existing in the public discourse. These institutes range from government agencies, to media organisations, health practitioners, civil society groups and even private businesses through Corporate Social Responsibility. It can well be argued that the efforts of these actors have saved millions of lives by helping to sensitise and simplify factual information on the pandemic, and counter false or misleading information that could have proved lethal. ICMC 2021 will showcase the efforts of these initiatives, highlighting their strategies and successes, providing insights into how current efforts can bolstered and, what lessons can be applied to future efforts.
Assessment of initiatives that have educated the public on the pandemic and its mitigation. Special focus will be paid to projects and institutes in the Civil Society and Public sector, how they targeted vulnerable audiences, and their overall impact.
The pandemic has had repercussive effects on communities, particularly vulnerable groups. Attention will be drawn to the impact of the crisis on social cohesion within and between communities, and the efforts of various organisations to tackle these challenges.
Researchers, as individuals and as institutes, have been valuable in helping understand what misconceptions lie in the public’s understanding of the pandemic. This session will focus on the findings of research studies on the pandemic and how they have contributed towards our comprehension of the public’s view.
This theme will focus on the mainstream media’s efforts following the virus, with particular emphasis on health coverage and awareness campaigns of media organisations and how they helped to inform the public on the pandemic. Attention will be drawn to large media organisations and their work on the crisis.
Social media has been a major actor in informing and misinforming the public on the crisis. The spread of disinformation on the crisis, including conspiracy theories, false cures and divisive rhetoric, ran rife on online platforms. In this regard, organisations have been dedicated to online discourse, by verifying falsehoods and providing factual information on the crisis. Focus will be paid to actors and agencies that played instrumental roles in the online space through fact checking/debunking and verification.
This theme will showcase success stories from government institutes, particularly the Ministry of Health, governmental projects, and the National Command Operation Center, on the communications front of the pandemic.
Private for-profit organisations, particularly in the corporate sector, generated several communications initiatives for public awareness on COVID, through their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts. This theme will aim to look at successful case studies in this area.
President- Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Dr. Arif Alvi was sworn in as the 13th President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan on 9th September 2018. Dr. Arif Alvi was born in 1949 and completed his early education in Karachi. He did his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from De’Montmorency College of Dentistry, Lahore where he was declared the “Best Graduate”. He completed his Masters of Science in the field of Prosthodontics from University of Michigan (1975) and in Orthodontics from University of Pacific, San Francisco (1982). He was awarded fellowship ‘Diplomatic American Board of Orthodontists (1995).
Federal Minister for Science and Technology - Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Fawad Chaudhry is a lawyer by profession and politician by passion. He joined the media only a few years ago but has emerged as a powerful voice on our television screens.Chaudhry belongs to a prominent political family of Punjab – his grandfather and other family members have occupied various important positions in the past. He himself has been adviser to the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Fawad Chaudhry is now Secretary Information and Central Spokesman for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
Federal Education Minister- Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Shafqat Mahmood is a Pakistani politician who is the current Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, and Federal Minister for National History and Literary Heritage, in office since 20 August 2018. He has been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, since August 2018.
Associate Director - International Fact Checking Network
Cristina is the Associate Director at International Fact Checking Network. She is founder Agencia Lupa first fact-checking initiative in her country responsible for LupaEducacao. It's education branch. She is winner of elPeriodico's best journalist award.
Founder- Moonshot CVE
Ross is the Founder of Moonshot CVE, a highly specialised data analytics company which blends cutting edge technology with deep human expertise. He has over a decade of expertise in extracting and analysing large datasets from hard-to-reach platforms. A qualified Systems Architect, Ross leads on the development of Moonshot’s proprietary data analysis algorithms and has devised systems to extract data from previously unreachable platforms such as Google Search and WhatsApp. Twitter
Senior Policy Manager -Institute of Strategic Dialogue (ISD)
Jennie is the senior policy manager at ISD where she is developing research and programmes to combat hate, extremism and polarisation worldwide. Jenny did her Bachelor's Degree in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies (Arabic and Spanish). In the past, she has worked as Programme Director Central Europe at British Council, and as coordinator at United Nations.
The conference showcases leading researchers,academics, journalists, and organizations working in the digital space and aims to be a launchpad that brings them all together. The events are focused on bolstering research, building partnerships, and educating the public on various facets of information disorder.
Club Rd, Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory
Pakistan
Email:info@icmc.pk
Email:info@icmc.pk
The conference was held on February 11th and 12th, 2020. It was a full day event for both days, with several parallel sessions.
Club Rd, Islamabad, Islamabad Capital Territory
Pakistan
Email:info@icmc.pk
Email:info@icmc.pk
