Islamabad:Caretaker Federal Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi has said that the importance of information group officers has increased manifold in the era of propaganda and narrative. Addressing the graduation ceremony of the 38th Mid-Career Management Course (MCMC) and 40th Specialized Training Programs at the Information Service Academy, the caretaker Federal Minister for Information said that information to counter propaganda and promote a positive image of Pakistan. Group officers have an important role to play, unlike many other groups in the civil service, Information Group officers study and work hard to improve their skills. He added that information group officers should learn not only about media, media laws but also about politics, history, geography, art, culture, music and languages of the country. He said that the officers of the Information Group should focus on adapting to the rapidly changing media landscape. The caretaker federal minister said that when the internet and social media were introduced, it was believed that a new era of information was beginning which would end dependence on mainstream media, but unfortunately, a new “political economy” on social media. It has been invented and rich people can hire a few dozen people to spread fake news and create bogus trends. He urged the officers to learn the local languages of Pakistan which has a diverse culture as it is always easier to convey a message to someone in their own language. He said that the delay in spreading the truth in the age of modern technology would give others an opportunity to fill the gap with fake news and propaganda. On this occasion, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Shahira Shahid said that the restructuring of the Information Group is indispensable to deal with the challenges of the modern age. Dr. Tariq Mehmood, Executive Director General of Information Service Academy, in his welcome address, highlighted the aims and objectives of both the courses. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi distributed certificates to the participants of both courses. Additional Secretary Information and Broadcasting Syed Mubashir Toqeer Shah and MD Associated Press of Pakistan Muhammad Asim Khachi along with senior officers of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting were also present on the occasion.