GEN_II Hosts PEMRA Director General on Media Regulation in Pakistan

𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒐𝒎 𝑫𝒂𝒚 2026!  📅 May 3, 2026 The Global Engineering Network for Innovation and Intelligence (GEN_II) successfully organized a session under its Guest Lecture Series titled: “𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂 𝑹𝒆𝒈𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝑫𝒚𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒄𝒔: 𝑼𝒏𝒑𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝑬𝑴𝑹𝑨'𝒔 𝑹𝒐𝒍𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏'𝒔 𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒂 𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒑𝒆.” The session was chaired by Ms. Qurrat-ul-Ain Cheema, CEO of GEN-II, who highlighted the critical importance of the conscious and responsible use of media platforms in today’s digital era. She emphasized the role of youth in shaping narratives and promoting ethical information dissemination. The keynote address was delivered by Mr. M. Ikram Barkat, Director General of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and Member Board of Directors at GEN-II. In his lecture, he provided in-depth insights into PEMRA’s regulatory framework, legal provisions, and operational mechanisms, while also discussing the evolving challenges and opportunities within Pakistan’s media landscape. The session offered valuable learning outcomes, including a comprehensive understanding of media regulation in Pakistan, the role and functioning of PEMRA, and emerging opportunities for youth in the media sector. The event witnessed active participation from students, professionals, and aspiring media practitioners, reflecting a strong interest in media governance and regulatory affairs. GEN-II remains committed to fostering knowledge exchange and creating platforms that connect industry experts with the next generation of professionals. Qurrat-ul-Ain Cheema | Muhammad Ali Haider Amin Kazi | M. Ikram Barkat | Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary | Ministry of IT and Telecommunication Pakistan

World Press Freedom Day 2026 🌍📰 Global Engineering Network for Innovation and Intelligence (GEN_II) successfully conducted a Guest Lecture on “Media Regulation Dynamics: Unpacking PEMRA’s Role in Shaping Pakistan’s Media Landscape” 🎙️ Chair: Ms. Qurrat-ul-Ain Cheema (CEO, GEN_II) highlighted responsible media use and the role of youth in ethical storytelling. Keynote:M. Ikram Barkat (DG PEMRA) shared insights on PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) regulatory framework, laws, and media sector challenges 📊 The session brought together students and professionals to explore media governance, regulation, and emerging opportunities 🎓 GEN_II remains committed to knowledge sharing and empowering future leaders 🚀

The Global Research Council's annual meeting is happening this week in Bangkok. Heads of public funding agencies from around the world are in the room together for five days, co-hosted by Thailand's TSRI and Canada's NSERC. This year's official topics are Sustainable Research and Open Science. Notable for what is not on the headline agenda: reviewer capacity, AI in evaluation, and cross-border review coordination. The three issues that dominated public funding agency announcements in 2026. ERC just announced eligibility tightening for 2027 citing "growing pressure on peer reviewers." DFG, NWO, FWO, and FNR launched the Weave Lead Agency Procedure to share peer review across borders. NIH and NSF are operating at a fraction of normal pace. A 2026 Frontiers study found 53% of peer reviewers already use AI in their assessments. These are the operational topics agencies are dealing with right now. Yet the global venue where Heads of Agencies actually meet is officially focused on broader thematic priorities. This is not a criticism of GRC. The Statements of Principles it produces have shaped global research policy for over a decade. The pattern is worth noticing. Operational pressure on peer review is being addressed agency by agency, often bilaterally, rather than through global coordination. The 2027 theme is "Curiosity-driven Research: The role of public funders" in Cape Town. Peer review capacity is the foundation that lets curiosity-driven research happen. Worth landing on the formal agenda before then. https://lnkd.in/dyzfnm_Y #ResearchFunding

Bússola Tech and the Assembléia Legislativa do Espirito Santo are proud to organise “LegisTech: Modernisation of Devolved and Subnational Parliaments”, an international conference dedicated to legislative innovation, digital transformation and the growing impact of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies within devolved and subnational legislatures. The conference will bring together parliamentary authorities, institutional leaders and technology specialists for strategic discussions on the future of legislative institutions. As part of the programme, the conference will feature a presentation entitled “The Impact of Disinformation in Subnational Parliaments: The Use of Synthetic Media”, delivered by Mr. Moises Benamor, Chief of the Parliament Section at the OEA (Organización de los Estados Americanos). The session will examine the institutional risks associated with synthetic media, AI-generated content and disinformation within parliamentary environments, with particular attention to the implications for democratic legitimacy, public trust, institutional communication and the resilience of legislative institutions in the digital era. Event Details: - Date: May 15th, 2026 - Time: 10:45 (GMT-3 – Brazil) - Location: Legislative Assembly of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil - Language: English and Portuguese - Further information: https://lnkd.in/eHBNm8Aq - Registration for online streaming: https://lnkd.in/eun2NfQP

We’re excited to feature Dr Huda Khan and Prof Zaheer Khan in our latest Research Insights Series! Their paper “Strategic responses of platform multinational enterprises: Rethinking competition policy through a comparative institutional perspective” examines cross-national variation in regulatory approaches and platform MNEs’ responses. Read the paper here: http://abdn.io/2br

The latest Observer Research Foundation & Global Policy Journal at Durham University e-book has now been published, with thanks to GP's web editor Tom Kirk - Digital Africa: Tales of Transformation, edited by Dr. Samir Bhattacharya Free to access here: https://lnkd.in/eTNRtZVj 'The 12 essays in this volume present case studies from Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and the African Union. They explore how different political, legal, and social contexts shape digital transformation outcomes, offering complementary, grounded insights into Africa's digital transformation. They aim to encourage policymakers, practitioners, and scholars to prioritise impact over technology.'

CONFERENCE | Dependance, risks and open source alternative regarding digital sovereignty: join us for our next conference! 🎯 Digital Sovereignty: Strategic Foresight and Concrete Measures 📅 June 15, 1:00 pm-2:30 pm 📍 IDHEAP Learning Lab or online 🖋️ https://lnkd.in/dMWcV6w6 🎤 Organisation and introduction with Prof.Oliver Neumann Our guest speakers will lead us around a political view on these aspects, discuss the example of a successful open source provider and present the activities of the Network SDS- Sovereign Digital Switzerland. We are looking forward to welcome Valérie Dittli, Member of the Council of State of the Canton of Vaud, Prof. Dr. Matthias Stürmer and Pascal Stöckli (Berner Fachhochschule), Thomas Jacobsen (Infomaniak) Jean Christophe Schwaab (Author of the Book "Pour une souveraineté numérique"), Emmanuel Belo (Camptocamp) FDCA UNIL - Faculté de droit, des sciences criminelles et d'administration publique

𝐀𝐬 𝐑𝐀𝐂 & 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐂 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, 𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 As we move towards the final 𝐑𝐀𝐂 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐂 𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐅𝐀𝐒 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, it is expected that more consultation documents and technical reports will circulate. This is a normal part of the EU’s open regulatory process — and it can enrich the debate when the evidence is 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. But it is also important to recognise a structural reality of policymaking in Brussels. Many stakeholders commission consultancy reports during sensitive regulatory moments. These documents are 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐫‑𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬, yet they are designed to look technical and to integrate smoothly into the consultation process. They often: adopt 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞 present themselves as “𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞” are submitted during 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 are cited in 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 appear in 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 resurface in 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬 And because regulators are managing 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, these reports can gain traction simply by being 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥‑𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝, 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐲, and 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. This is not about criticising any actor — industry, NGOs, or institutions. All stakeholders rely on external expertise at times. The key is understanding 𝐰𝐡𝐲 such reports are commissioned: to provide 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲‑𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 at moments when the system is under pressure and decisions carry significant consequences. That is precisely why, especially now, we must distinguish between: 𝐩𝐞𝐞𝐫‑𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐚, and 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲‑𝐝𝐫𝐢��𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬. As the PFAS restriction enters its decisive phase, the 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 informing policy will determine the credibility of the outcome. Because in the end: 𝐈𝐟 𝐚 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐬𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞.

📘 New Resource for Parliamentarians on Digital Governance We are pleased to share that the Summary Report of the IGF Parliamentary Summit “Anticipating the Digital Future”, held in Montevideo (March), is now available: https://lnkd.in/erbCQE4K The report captures key messages, legislative approaches, and practical insights shared by parliamentarians from across Latin America and the Caribbean, reflecting common challenges and forward-looking strategies on digital policy and emerging technologies. This work also feeds directly into the IGF Parliamentary Track — a growing global space where Members of Parliament connect, exchange experiences, and collaborate on digital governance, technology regulation, and long-term State policies. 📌 Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff are encouraged to explore the report and engage with the IGF Parliamentary Track to contribute to shaping inclusive and future-ready digital frameworks: https://lnkd.in/dNAqVT5M

Glad to share that the Summary Report of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Parliamentary Summit “Anticipating the Digital Future” held in Montevideo in march,is now available. The report brings together key messages, practical insights, and legislative initiatives discussed by parliamentarians from across Latin America and the Caribbean. This work is an important step toward strengthening parliamentary cooperation on digital governance, emerging technologies, and long-term State policies through the Internet Governance Forum (IGF). Honored to have contributed to this regional dialogue and to share El Salvador’s experience in building legal and institutional frameworks for the digital future. Desde El Salvador, seguimos aportando a una conversación regional sobre gobernanza digital, innovación democrática y futuro tecnológico. Céline Bal |Agustina Ordoñez |Rodrigo Goñi Reyes 🔗Summary Report: https://lnkd.in/eeuN5gyw