LAHORE: Media has the power to present truth as false and a fake story as a truth because it can create any perception about any incident in the world; every journalist should prioritize the responsible journalism, hence media's role cannot be denied in this era.

This was said by Punjab University Vice Chancellor Dr Mujahid Kamran while addressing the first graduation ceremony of Institute of Communication Studies (ICS) here on Saturday. Dean Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences Dr Zakaria Zakir, Controller Examinations PU Dr Shahid Muneer, Incharge Director ICS Dr Noshina Saleem, senior journalist Dr Mahdi Hassan, Salman Ghani, Najam Wali Khan, anchorperson Imran Khan, Ahmad Waleed, Mian Habib ullah several other journalists, faculty members of ICS, students and their parents were also present in the graduation ceremony.

Dr Mujahid Kamran said that its media, which can show people a truth as false and a fake story as a truth. While giving example of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting incident in US, he said that it was a mock exercise by security forces and was presented by media as a terrorist attack in which news of death of students was also spread. In actual, not a single student lost his life in that incident, renowned writer Jim Fetzer in his book No Body Died in the Sandy Hook also claimed this and revealed the truth behind this, Dr Mujahid added.

In-charge Director ICS Dr Noshina Saleem in her welcome address said that being the first seat of journalism education in South Asia, several politicians and journalists had honor of studying in this department since its inception. “Today our students had outshined in every field of life, I believe all these students are shining stars of the future” she said.

The ceremony conferred degrees on total 249 students of different study programs including Masters, BS (Hons) and PhD will receive their degrees. 39 medals will be distributed among the shining students whereas 33 students of BS (Hons) 2010-14, 49 students of MSc Communication Studies (morning), 59 MSc Communication Studies (Replica), 89 MSc Development Journalism and 18 students of MSc Film and TV.

For the first time in country's history, media graduates took oath to abide by journalistic values and ethics.

“I take oath that I will always abide by the journalistic principles, professional ethics and promote truth, and that I will defend human rights and the Constitution of Pakistan in a highly responsible manner, and that I will never indulge in one-sided propaganda and blackmailing, and I will always use my pen as per the journalistic ethics keeping in my mind the sanctity of words”.

Many professional journalists also received their degrees and medals in the ceremony.

Bureau Chief Capital TV Javed Farooqi, Press Information Department Deputy Director Babar Raza (Gold Medal), Geo News Anchorperson Meray Mutabiq Shajia Niazi, Newscaster Din News Zunaira Khalid, Reporter Waqt News Burhan ud Din, Dunya News Crime Reporter Umer Javed, Dawn News Political Reporter Arif Malik and Chief Reporter The Educationist Ali Arshad were also among the graduates who were awarded degrees.