The conference commenced with a prestigious inaugural ceremony featuring Javed Jabbar, Ambassador Mansoor Khan, Prof. Dr. Svetlana, Dr. Moeed Yusuf (Vice Chancellor, BNU), and Prof. Dr. Bushra H. Rahman (President MCAP & Dean SMC).
The session was moderated by Sadia Ahmad, who steered a thoughtful and engaging dialogue around media responsibility, democratic participation, and the urgent need to restore hope through ethical communication practices. The distinguished speakers shared valuable insights, setting an intellectually compelling tone for the conference.
Panelists: Dr. Jason, Dr. Altafullah Khan, Muhammad Noshad Ali, and Mazhar Abbas. Moderator: Harris Badar.
The discussion explored contemporary media challenges, political communication landscapes, journalistic responsibility, and the evolving dynamics of information ecosystems in an increasingly polarized world.
Panelists: Prof. Dr. Khalid Jamil Akhtar, Nadia Jamil, Dr. Tarunjit Singh, Prof. Dr. Fatima Elzahra Elsayed, and Mr. Farid Ahmed. Moderator: Dr. Abida Ashraf.
The session examined the intersections of media, culture, activism, and representation, offering multidisciplinary perspectives from academia and industry professionals.
Panelists: Prof. Dr. Nico Carpentier, Ms. Simi Raheal, Ms. Salima Hashmi, Dr. Hassan Zafar, and Dr. Sehrish. Moderator: Sarmad Cheema.
This session engaged in critical discourse on media participation, identity politics, democratic spaces, and global communication theory, bridging theoretical scholarship with contemporary realities.
In addition to the plenary discussions, the conference hosted multiple Working Groups and parallel academic sessions, where scholars presented research papers and engaged in rigorous intellectual exchange. These sessions included participation from academics, researchers, and industry experts representing institutions from across Pakistan and internationally.
The diversity of perspectives reinforced MCAP’s standing as a global academic platform, encouraging collaboration, critical thinking, and scholarly advancement across disciplines.
Book Launch & Special Segments: A significant highlight of MCAP 2026 was the book launch session, celebrating intellectual and creative contributions within the field of media and communication. The segment reflected MCAP’s continued commitment to fostering authorship, nurturing emerging scholars, and promoting academic publication culture.
Closing Ceremony: The conference concluded with a distinguished closing ceremony featuring Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali (Vice Chancellor, Punjab University), Talat Hussain (Senior Anchor), Mohammad Makram Omar Moh’d Balawi (Palestinian Speaker), Ms. Navid Shahzad, Prof. Dr. Bushra H. Rahman, and Dr. Moeed Yusuf.
The speakers reflected on the key discussions and reaffirmed the importance of media as a force for dialogue, justice, and hope in complex global contexts. The closing session encapsulated the spirit of the conference, emphasizing collaboration, responsibility, and intellectual courage.
With participation from leading scholars and professionals from academia and industry across the world, the 11th MCAP–BNU International Media Conference 2026 once again demonstrated Beaconhouse National University’s commitment to academic excellence, global engagement, and meaningful dialogue between research and practice.
MCAP continues to stand as a flagship international conference that bridges local realities with global conversations, fostering critical inquiry and advancing the discourse on media, activism, and social justice.
