Bahawalpur: The Department of Media and Communication Studies at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB) is set to host a PhD open defense viva-voce examination, scrutinizing the impact of media on public perception and police reforms, particularly focusing on the Punjab Police coverage. The event is scheduled to take place at the university’s Baghdad Campus on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 11:30 am.

According to The Islamia University of Bahawalpur Pakistan, the session will feature Saleem Akhtar, a scholar under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Muhammad Shahzad, Chairman of the Department of Media and Communication Studies, IUB. The PhD candidate will defend his thesis titled “Crime News, Public Perception and Police Reforms: Media Coverage of Punjab Police.”

The defense will include an assessment by external examiner Prof. Dr. Lubna Zaheer, Chairperson of the Department of Film and Broadcasting at the School of Communication Studies, University of Punjab. Dr. Syed Awais Hassan Gillani, Assistant Professor at IUB’s Department of Media and Communication Studies, will supervise the proceedings.

This academic event aims to explore the intricate dynamics between media representation and its influence on law enforcement practices and public attitudes towards police reforms in Punjab.