KARACHI: The Center for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) marked its tenth anniversary with a grand event titled “A Decade of Excellence.” Held at the JS Auditorium on the City Campus, the event celebrated the Center’s contributions to ethical and impactful journalism in Pakistan.

Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of IBA Karachi, highlighted the Center’s role in academia and media practice. He acknowledged the support of the U.S. Consulate in Karachi and discussed the rise of Artificial Intelligence, stressing the need to reassess the state of journalism in Pakistan. Dr. Zaidi expressed hope that this milestone would foster dialogue between democracy and journalism for the public good.

U.S. Consul General in Karachi, Mr. Scott Urbom, praised the Center’s longstanding partnership with the U.S. government. He commended CEJ’s leadership in advancing professional journalism and empowering the next generation of Pakistani journalists. Mr. Urbom reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to supporting institutions like IBA-CEJ that uphold freedom of expression.

Renowned journalist Mr. Hamid Mir addressed the challenges faced by the media in Pakistan. He noted increasing censorship and pressures that limit press freedom and pose concerns for democratic values. Mr. Azhar Abbas, another prominent journalist, spoke about the harassment and silencing of journalists, noting the pressures on newsrooms.

Mr. Shahzaib Jillani, Director of IBA-CEJ, expressed gratitude to attendees for celebrating the Center’s decade of success. He reflected on the benefits journalists and reporters have gained from CEJ’s trainings and workshops, acknowledging the contributions of individuals who helped shape the institution.

The event also featured panel discussions on artificial intelligence in journalism and a presentation on countering disinformation. Esteemed figures such as Dr. Ishrat Husain and Dr. Lawrence Pintak shared reflections on CEJ’s journey via video messages. Since its inception in 2015, IBA-CEJ has trained thousands of journalists, collaborated with international partners, and pioneered fact-checking initiatives in Pakistan.