ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said on Friday that Pakistan and the Holy See could work together to counter fake news and hate material.

During a meeting with Ambassador of the Holy See in Islamabad, Christophe EL Kassis, he said that in this age of technology, war of narratives had replaced war of weapons, and certain countries and groups were using the tool of media to malign and defame their opponents.

The United Nations should introduce a framework to control fake news, and hate content in the media, he said.

The minister stressed that there was a need for getting awareness about each other’s cultures and religious values to promote a better understanding of religions.

In the past, the world lacked technology for communication, but now the situation has reversed, and news spreads quickly, added Chaudhry.

“Countering propaganda has become a big challenge for the entire world,” said the minister.
Chaudhry said that the governments could control hate material on mainstream media, but social media was being used by proscribed organisations.

“The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has been working to promote interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence,” he said while highlighting the 552nd birth anniversary celebrations of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Pakistan.

The ambassador of the Vatican also called for the promotion of interfaith harmony to ensure peace in the world.

The embassy of the Holy See wanted collaboration with local churches in Pakistan, EL Kassis added.