• November 14, 2011
• Training and Capacity Building
• Web Desk

Date:
January 6-8, 2007
Location:
Pasni, District Gwadar, Balochistan

A three-day training workshop for journalists on ‘Media and Local Governance was organized by Pakistan Press Foundation and supported by the European Union, at Pasni, Gwadar, Balochistan, from 6th January to 8th January, 2007.

Seventeen male and six female participants attended the workshop, aimed at discussing closer relations between media and local government, highlighting problems faced by people through media, and providing better coverage of local uplift schemes.

Pakistan Press Foundation Senior Network Coordinator, Musawir Shahid, was the facilitator of the workshop. Noor Mohsin and Akram Sahib Khan, President-Mekran Journalists’ Forum, delivered lectures.

The discussions by the participants involved the (i) lack of awareness of councilors of their powers and responsibilities and local government laws, (ii) need to struggle for ensuring distribution of local government funds on merit, (iii) suppression of the local media by some vested interests.

They were of the opinion that for the safeguard of press freedom, all organizations of journalists in the country should be united. They said civil society organizations like PPF should continue to hold workshops for the solution of problems faced by the local people.

It was suggested for the local, national and international media to play their due role to end poverty and oppression of the fishermen community. Seminars and workshops were recommended for the fishermen to create political awareness as well as to resolve their problems.

Musawir Shahid, Noor Mohsin and Akram Sahib Khan, discussed the role of media and the importance of maintaining close relations between the media and councilors. They guided participants on various techniques to write press releases, features, articles, letters to the editor and news clippings.

Razzaq Haider Nasir, writer: This workshop would greatly help in forging unity amongst local journalists. It would also enliven their zeal and spirit. The workshop has improved the professional capabilities of participants and raised their awareness. This program should be continued in future.

Bijjar Baloch, social worker: The workshop was focused on how to resolve local issues with the help of media, which was an encouraging concept. We social workers would extend all-out help to the media.

Akram Khan, founder and President, Pasni Press Club lauded PPF for holding a training workshop for journalists of this far-flung area. He hoped that it would help in closer ties between media and local government. He regretted that journalists of Pasni had been facing oppression of state agencies since the last one month and almost half of the local journalists were booked under false cases. They were now underground or trying for court bail.

Pasni South Union Council Nazim, Haider Ali, addressing at the concluding ceremony said PPF did a great job to convene this workshop here. He said due to various factors, relations between local media and councilors was deteriorating and the local government uplift projects were not receiving proper coverage. However, after this workshop things would hopefully go in the right direction.

He said without the active cooperation of media, the masses could not be informed of the achievements of local governments. He said he would convey the message of PPF and this workshop to his colleagues and fellow councilors.

He lauded the role of local journalists, who had sacrificed a lot for press freedom and to resolve issues of the local people. He requested local journalists to forge unity in their ranks.

Javed Saeed, Bureau Chief: Topics discussed during the workshop were important. Local journalists know ‘traditional’ journalism but this workshop would help them change their style and improve their features and articles.

Hajjira, Lady Councilor: The workshop played a great role in bringing the local media and councilors closer. It would be remembered as a successful workshop.

Javed Saeed, Bureau Chief: Topics discussed during the workshop were important. Local journalists know ‘traditional’ journalism but this workshop would help them change their style and improve their features and articles.

Hajjira, Lady Councilor: The workshop played a great role in bringing the local media and councilors closer. It would be remembered as a successful workshop.
Rashid Haider, Reporter: Lively discussions during the workshop helped raise our knowledge. It was a memorable experience.