Urdu debate contest was held at the Federal Government Margalla College

Urdu debate competition held at Margalla College
Islamabad: On the third day of the ongoing intercollegiate competitions, an interesting Urdu debate contest was held at the Federal Government Margalla College for Women, F-7/4, on Wednesday.

The topic of the debate was 'Media is torch-bearer of truth,' where students came up with hard-hitting arguments over the topic. The competition was aimed at giving the students an opportunity to tell how they view the current trends in Pakistani media in the coverage of current issues.

Girls who spoke in the favour of media were of the view that media was instrumental in making people more aware with regard to post 9/11 scenario, atrocities committed in Guantanamobay prison, inviting world attention to the disaster of earthquake and floods in Pakistan, and highlighting the importance of a free judiciary in the country.

The debaters paid tributes to brave media men, who lost their lives in the line of duty while covering violent incidents. On the other hand, students with opposing views contended that media is spreading more and more sensationalism by blowing up political issues in their opinion leads to cause restlessness in the society. Opposing panel said that Pakistani media was not effective in highlighting real issues confronting common man whose sole need for survival, bread, shelter and cloth is not being met.

They maintained that media is also not bold enough to condemn drone attacks and expose devastation caused by these strikes.

Director News of a private television channel Moeed Pirzada, who was the chief guest on the occasion acknowledged that media has been playing both positive and negative roles on different occasion and in different eras. But stressed that media being a torchbearer of truth should always maintain a balanced and neutral approach.

At the end of the competition, the first prize was awarded to Mariam Zeb of Bahria College, second prize went to Hifza Rafiq of F G Post Graduate College Rawalpindi and third prize went to Anila Abbassi of FG College I-8/3, and the consolation prize to Ayesha Rehman of the Army Medical College, Rawalpindi.