On  7th  August  2025,  the  National  Institute  of  Public  Policy  organized  a  lecture of Mr. Muhammad Ikram Barkat, Director General (Operations), Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority  (PEMRA).  The  session  was  designed  to  give interns a  deeper  understanding  of  the laws, regulations, and operational frameworks governing Pakistan’s media industry, while also highlighting  the  responsibilities  of  journalists,  the  challenges  of  misinformation,  and  the evolving nature of media in the digital age. Mr. Barkat began by introducing PEMRA’s role as the primary regulatory body for private television channels, FM radio stations, and cable networks in Pakistan. He clarified that PEMRA does not  regulate  Pakistan  Television  (PTV),  which  operates  under  a  separate  framework.  The Authority’s responsibilities include granting licenses, monitoring broadcast content, enforcing compliance with media laws, and imposing penalties for violations. He explained that PEMRA’s governing body is composed of members from diverse professional and regional backgrounds to ensure  balanced  and inclusive decision-making. He  also  gave  a  brief background  about the expansion of private media channels from a state-dominated media landscape. He also explained in  detail  the right  to  freedom  of  speech as  framed  in  the  Constitution  of Pakistan, 1973 and elaborated upon the concepts of misinformation and disinformation. He also discussed the rise of citizen journalism, its pitfalls and challenges ,and the need of media literacy for the public. Mr. Barkat also discussed the responsibility of journalists and media channels to ensure the accuracy and credibility of news reporting. The  session  concluded  with  a  lively  question-and-answer  segment.  Participants  raised  concerns about regulating social media, the thin line between censorship and necessary regulation, and the challenges  posed  by  rapidly  evolving  technology. DG  PEMRA responded  by  emphasizing  that regulation is essential for maintaining credibility, protecting public interest, and ensuring that the media fulfills its role as a responsible and trustworthy pillar of democracy. By  the  end  of  the  session,  participants  had  a  clear  understanding  of  how  PEMRA  operates,  the legal  framework  that  guides  media  in  Pakistan,  and  the  shared  responsibility  of  both  regulators and media practitioners in upholding journalistic integrity.