Introduction

Young Journalist' Society Department of Mass Communication encourages its students to take advantage of the opportunity available in the form of YJS to enhance their journalistic ambition. The Young Journalist' Society (YJS) of the Department of Mass Communication is dedicated to: stimulate high standards and ethical behaviour in the students for the practice of media, inspire successive generation of talented individuals to become dedicated journalists, encourage diversity in journalism and encourage a climate in which media can be practiced freely. YJS provides a platform for those students who really could get around to do all the hard work and test their journalistic abilities that they have been meaning to Society organizes events, lectures presentations and visits to media organization throughout the year. Membership of the Society is open for all students of GCU in the beginning of new academic session.

News & Events

Young Journalist Society office Bearers Session 2011-2012

MEDIA A WATCH DOG OF PUBLIC INTERESTS: VICE CHANCELLOR GCU

The GC University Lahore Young Journalists’ Society organized an evening with eminent editors, columnists and journalists and discussed the “challenges confronting fourth pillar of the state.” Prof. Dr. Ikram-ul-Haq (SI) Vice Chancellor  GCU chaired the ceremony while Mujeebur Rahman Shami, Rashid Rehman and Aftab Iqbal and a large number of other reputed journalists were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Ikram-ul-Haq (SI) Vice Chancellor  GCU said that the media was a watchdog of public interest, carrier of information, promoter of a free and balanced debate, and was the most dynamic institution representing the civil society. He said the role of media has certainly become more critical in the wake of contemporary situation of Pakistani national milieu. He said media not only has to inform the masses rather it has to hold “the powers that be” accountable.

Prof. Ikram said the media should depict the true face of every political party and its candidates without prejudice and bias, so that the people of Pakistan make right choices in the national elections. He also appreciated the long-drawn struggle that the fear-less media persons made to secure and consolidate their independence. “Our brave journalists did not even hesitate to sacrifice their lives for upholding their principles,” he added. Prof, Ikram strongly demanded that the individuals and groups responsible for the suppression of journalists must be exposed and punished.

The Executive Committee Young Journalists’ Society Lahore pose for a

photograph with the Vice Chancellor, Mujeebur Rehman Shami,

Rashid Rehman and Mian Habib

Addressing the ceremony, Mujeebur Rahman Shami Editor Daily Pakistan Lahore said that legendary journalists like Mulana Hasrut Mohani, Mulana Zafar Ali Khan and Hameed Nizami had set very high standards for the successive generations of the journalists. He said that times have changed tremendously; 40 years back the government agencies used to chase and pressurize the journalists whereas today the journalists chase the government and hold them accountable.

Editor Daily Times Lahore Rashid Rehman said that the masses are the biggest check on media. “Any newspaper or channel fails to maintain its credibility ultimately loses its readership/viewership,” he added. He also shared some of his student life memories when he was a student at GCU and also a member of GCU’s Dramatic Club.

GEO’s anchorperson and columnist Aftab Iqbal also shared some memories of his student life at the Government College Lahore. He said that the major challenge the media face at the moment is of maintaining high quality news reports and upholding journalistic values in such a small yet extremely competitive market. He said that truth must be presented in a manner in which it can touch the heart and soul of the people.

The Vice Chancellor also honoured the reputed members of Lahore Education Reporters Association (LERA) for highlighting the academic achievements of the university students. Later, the Young Journalists’ Society Executive Committee members Session 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 were awarded certificates and shields for their extraordinary performance in the extracurricular activities.

The evening was followed by annual dinner and musical night in which the members of GCU Nazir Ahmed Music Society (NAMS) performed.

(27-06-2011)

BOOK LAUNCHING CEREMONY 

The GC University Lahore Young Journalists Society (GCU YJS) hosted the launching ceremony of a book on the life and efforts of an eminent Old Ravian renowned scientist and literary person Dr Anwar Nasim at the Bokhari Auditorium. GCU Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Ikram-ul-Haq (SI) presided over the launching ceremony of the book titled “Dr Anwar Nasim – A Versatile Human” which was also attended by the noted biotechnologists and eminent literary figures from all over the country including Asghar Nadeem Syed and Prof. Tabbasum Kashmiri.  The book ‘Dr Anwar Nasim, A Versatile Human’ is a tribute to the literary figure for rendering services in the field of science and literature.

Addressing the ceremony, noted columnist and eminent writer, Asghar Nadeeem Syed brought the literary side of Dr. Anwar’s life into a lime light and told the audience his everlasting relation of affection, love and studentship with Dr. Anwar.

Mr. Syed, talking about the professional excellence that Dr. Nasim has achieved over the years said that no one can ever achieve the feat of being the scientist and of a caliber that Dr. Nasim has achieved without being in deep relation with literature, universe and firm faith on totality. Relation to know the universe leads to the glory and we witness the same in the real essence of Dr. Anwar Nasim’s life, Mr. Syed added.    

Chairman, Qarshi group of Industries Mr. Iqbal Qarshi, Dr. Abid Azhar, Prof. Dr. Shamsi, Mr. Javed Tufaili, Mr. Kausar Malik Abdullah also praised the versatile personality of Dr. Nasim by denoting him as a “world of science and literature”.

Vice Chancellor, University of Veterinary Sciences Dr. Muhammad Nawaz regarded Dr. Nasim as “Positive Man” during his speech and highlighted his educational and literary services. GCU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Ikram-ul-Haq (S.I) also acknowledged the services of Mr. Nasim for the world of science.

(20-06-2011)

MS. Um-e-Amara, Lecture Mass Communication appointed as Advisor

The Vice Chancellor has been placed to appoint Ms. Un-e-Amara, Lecturer, Mass Communication as Advisor and Mr. Musadiq Sultan as Co-Advisor of the Young Journalist Society (YJS) w.e.f 08-04-2011.

Ref: REG-6-17/11

(08-04-2011)

YJS Organizes AN INTER UNIVERSITIES Photo Contest on the theme of “unprivileged professions”

Young Journalists Society GC University organized an inter-university photo journalism competition & exhibition 2011 on the theme of “unprivileged professions”. All put on display 31 selected photographers capturing life of child labourers, cobblers, kiln workers, hawkers, linemen, waiters, jokers and circus artists etc. The amateur photographers from 11 educational institutions of Lahore including LUMS, National College of Arts, Fatima Jinnah Medical College and Lahore College for Women University took part in the competition. , The adjudicators of the competition were Tahir Malik Yazdani President Lahore Heritage Club and Muhammad Adnan President American Photo Club.

A picture of a child circus performer playing with fire, captioned “the burning truth”, secured the first position in the competition. The picture was captured by Skindar Hayat from Punjab University.  A picture of University of Central Punjab student Junaid Saleem captioned “Still I rise” secured the second position at the competition. Mubashir Ali, a student of FC- a charted University Lahore, secured the third prize. He put on display a picture of a female kiln worker.

Lahore Heritage Club President Tahir Malik Yazdani said that the profession of photojournalism requires a lot of patience, understanding and skill, and the photojournalists should be appreciated accordingly. The Advisor Society Umme-Amara said the competition was aimed at encouraging the students who have great skills and talent to become news photographers

GCU Dean of Arts and Social Sciences Dr. Khlaid Perviaz was the chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony of the photo competition.

(28-01-2011)

YJS ORGANIZES VISIT OF PTV LAHORE CENTRE

A group of twenty five students with Ms Um-e-e-Amara in-charge of YJS visited PTV Lahore Station. The group visited PTV studios under the guidance of the Public Relation Officer Lahore center. The students taken special interests during their visit of studio A, studio B, get up room, ward robe and engineering department. The tour organizer showed different sets of plays and programs. Amjad Gill In-charge Engineering Department gave lecture on process of transmission and answered the different questions asked by the students. The group watched the live transmission process of programs and news room.

(11-01-2011)

YJS Society Visited Cartoon Exhibition at Lahore Press Club

Young Journalist Society arranged a tour of Cartoon Exhibition of ANWAR ALI (Known as NANNA) in Lahore Press Club. This exhibition was arranged to pay tribute to Anwar Ali who was the first among the early cartoonists of Pakistan who uses his talent to give awareness about social and political issues to the general public through his talent.

Shaukat Mehmood, Ijaz Anwar, Nasrullah , Sarmad Bashir, Fiqa , Javed Iqbal, Junaid Khawaja and Hameed Akhtar paid homage to Anwar Ali. Dr. Ijaz Anwar told about cartoons and creations of him and his father. At the end Aurangzaib thanked and appreciated the Society.

(30-11-2010)

YJS ORGANIZES Inter-University Documentary Making Competition on social issues

GCU Lahore Young Journalist Society Monday organized Inter-University Documentary Making Competition 2010 on the theme of Social Issues. Above 70 amateur producers and directors from ten educational institutions including University of the Punjab, FC College University, University of South Asia, and Allama Iqbal Medical College took part in the competition and presented documentaries on prevailing social issues including terrorism, pick-pocketing and poverty    .

Fatima Jinnah College for Girls won the competition for their documentary “Zindagi Tamasha Bani”. The documentary showed the darker side of the life of ignored individuals (eunuchs) who have been rejected by the society socially, politically and economically. The ten minute documentary also includes interviews of eunuchs which were based on very bold questions. National College of Arts “JAM” bagged the second position in which the dilemma of traffic mess in Lahore was highlighted. The documentary also includes the interviews of traffic wardens and drivers belong to various age groups.  Showing the perceptions of various individuals in the documentary, attempt was made to rectify the traffic system and the psyche of drivers. The third position in the competition was secured by the Lahore College for Women University for their documentary titled “A by Standard by the Way”. The documentary shows the agony of child labour. It depicts how the talented children of this country are forced to work at an early age. Instead of having books in their hands, our society gave them filth to collect with their small hands. Education is not less than a dream for them. In a society where we see people anticipating to eradicate child labour, the documentary was an eye opening reality.

Prof. Mirza Ather Baig Chairperson Phiolosophy department GCU Lahore, Senior Producer GEO TV Agha Iqrar Haroon and Dr. Farhan Ebadat Yar Khan adjudicated the competition. 

Agha Iqrar Haroon while addressing the audience said the future of journalism in the country seems to be bright as the amateur artists have showed high professionalism in the making of the documentaries. He expressed pleasure that the amateur directors and producers have strong command on camera and on other technicalities. “  

GCU Dean Prof. Dr Khalid Pervaiz congratulated the team YJS for bringing young producers and directors from various educational institutions to the arena where they competed to gain supremacy in documentary making over each other. He also appreciated Fatima Jinnah College for Girls depicted a highly sensitive issue with great perfection. At the end the Dean distributed prizes to the winner teams.

(13-07-2010)

GCU YOUNG JOURNALISTS HOLD ESSAY WRITING CONTEST

The Young Journalists Society has organised the Essay Writing Competition 2010 to test the writing skills of the university students. As many as 80 students from various academic departments took part in the competition and produced masterpieces on the topics of “Does the element of social responsibility exist in Pak media?”, “Eastern Media versus Western Media’ and ‘Mobile Phones – boon or bane’?

In English category, Amina Obaid Khwaja of Psychology Department secured the first prize while Fawad Ali of Bio-Technology and Salman Mehmood of Physics Department declared second and third respectively. In Urdu essays, Hafsa Riaz declared first whereas Saira Razzaq and Syed Jamal Pasha secured second and third positions respectively.

Addressing the prize distribution ceremony, Prof. Dr. Khalid Pervez Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences said that the competitions were a great way to build confidence, appreciate talent, and help to create new innovative ideas, while contributing to life growth. He congratulated the winners and appreciated the YJS for organising the competition.

(24-06-2010)

YJS ORGANIZES A LECTURE OF IMTIAZ ALAM ON TOPIC “IS FREEDOM OF MEDA-A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY?”

Young Journalists Society (YJS) of Mass Communication Department has started its journey of year 2010, by organizing a special lecture in the wake of country’s socio-economic and political condition on the topic “Is Freedom of Meda-A Threat to Democracy?” Director SAFMA (South Asia Free Media Association), Imtiaz Alam delivered the lecture at Sir Fazl-e-Hussain Reading Room.

The core objective behind organizing a lecture by media oriented society of GCU on the crucial issue like the one being mentioned is basically to come up with the solutions of the problems which are destroying the peace of our country, to assess the working of free media in the prevailing scenario and to what extent the freedom of media is justified. Imtiaz Alam, while sharing his views on the Freedom of Media and assessing the performance of Pakistani Media described the freedom of media in two categories. Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Dr. Khalid Pervaiz graced the occasion with his esteemed presence as the Chief Guest. Imtiaz Alam also took questions from the audience and in the light of his invaluable experience, gave answers in terms of current socio-economic fiasco of the country and what steps should be taken to counter the prevailing crises.

(12-05-2010)

EK DIN SOHAIL WARRAICH KE SATH IN GCU

Young Journalists Society of Mass Communication Department organized another lecture; an eye opening session famous Anchor person of “Ek Din Geo Ke Sath”, Sohail Warraich. Being a media oriented society; YJS conducted a special lecture on the topic of “Kya Media Apni Hudood Se Tajawaz Tou Nahi Kar Raha” in the larger interest of country’s solidarity and the freedom of media.

While addressing the audience, Mr. Sohail Warraich categorically defined the role of media before and after 1985. He discussed the workings of media in the times of military rule as compared to the civilian rule in which “democracy” was believed to exist. He said that “Pakistani journalists are working for foreign news agencies including myself”. When question was asked about his parody in various programs, he expressed gladness that parody is done of the recognized personalities and he feels honor to be recognized for his distinct style of interviewing people.

(12-05-2010)

TRIBUTE TO POET OF THE EAST BY YJS

Young Journalists Society paid tribute to the revolutionary teachings of the Great poet and Philosopher Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal by holding a special lecture on the topic “Iqbal Bare Share Kyoun?” Principal Scholar Iqbal Academy, Pakistan Ahmad Javid was invited to deliver the special lecture. It was an honor for the students of YJS and GCU to have a well learned personality like Mr. Ahmad Javid with them who has a life long research on “Iqbaliyat”, and two of his programs on GEO T.V, Alif and Hamza-Nama are well acclaimed. Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Dr. Khalid Pervaiz graced the occasion as a Chief Guest.

Ahmad Javid, while addressing the audience, comprehensively discussed the important yet distinctive aspects of Iqbal’s personality which gives him a unique place in the history and we regard him as a great poet. He said, before becoming a great poet and a great philosopher, Iqbal first became a great man. He told the audience that if one goes for the satisfaction of his philosophical and spiritual nature, there would be a definite change in him.

(12-05-2010)

Special Lecture on “The Role of Media as Fourth Pillar of State”

YJS successfully conducted its fourth event; a special lecture on the “Role of Media as the Fourth Pillar of State in current scenario “at Noon Meem Rashid Hall by Dr. Mehdi Hassan Dean School of Media and Communication BNU, Lahore. Prof. Mirza Athar Baig graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

While addressing the audience, Dr. Mehdi Hassan comprehensively described and assessed the role of media ever since Pakistan achieved independence in 1947. He highlighted the role of newspapers and radio during the 1965 and 1971. Prof. Mirza Athar Baig expressed his views and thanked Dr. Mehdi Hassan for delivering a special lecture in the wake of burning issue. Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Dr. Khalid Pervaiz expressed the desire to see the Society organizing many more thoughtful and constructive events.

(12-05-2010)