Six Digital interviews from the subject matter experts were conducted which were published in the GNMI’s social media platforms.

• Dr. Fouzia Saeed, Chairperson of the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA), emphasized the importance of taking the second wave of Covid-19 seriously and strictly following SOPs to protect both oneself and loved ones. She also addressed the ongoing stigma around polio vaccines, noting that misinformation falsely links the vaccine to harmful effects like infertility.
• Hassan Khan, Director of News at Khyber News, noted in an interview that it is unfortunate that Pakistan and Bangladesh are among the few countries still battling polio. He urged people to vaccinate themselves and their children against both polio and Covid-19, emphasizing that this is crucial for ensuring that future generations can live in a world free from these diseases. He also advised the public to strictly follow SOPs to protect themselves during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Qazi Arif Muhammad, program host from KP, highlighted the media’s vital role in raising awareness about Covid-19 and polio, urging the public to follow SOPs and take these health issues seriously. He expressed concern over the spread of misinformation that deters parents from vaccinating their children against polio, despite the availability of a vaccine. He stressed the importance of adhering to safety measures and vaccinating children to secure their future health.
• MPA Momina Waheed, appreciated the media in playing a commendable job in raising public awareness regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse impacts on health. She also highlighted the effective use of helplines for reporting domestic violence, noting that while many have used them, there is a still need for campaigns targeting lower-class communities, who are often the main victims. She urged the government to partner with the media in launching awareness campaigns focused on human rights and related issues.
• Shehla Raza, Member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh, emphasized the importance of individuals verifying information themselves to counter the disinformation and misinformation spread on social media. She also stressed that the media must continue its role in raising public awareness about the myths surrounding the polio and Covid-19 vaccines.
• Azaz Syed, author and journalist, expressed concerns about the declining credibility of the media in Pakistan, noting that media owners often prioritize their business interests over truth, pressuring journalists to avoid topics that might harm their business. This leads to incomplete information being shared with the public, while non-journalists on social media spread misinformation or disinformation. Azaz emphasized that journalists have a responsibility to educate the public about what is right and wrong, their rights, and government laws. He also acknowledged that while social media has empowered citizens to report on issues ignored by mainstream media, it also has its drawbacks, as there is often no verification process to distinguish between true and false information.