AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Lahore, September 20, 2012 / –
Journalist play very crucial role in building bridges amongst rivals and finding commonalities amongst adversaries by adhering to basic principles of morality and commonly held code of ethics was the consensus of the participants of a three day workshops on Peace Building held at a local hotel of Lahore.
This capacity building exercise was organized Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) in collaborative partnership with Search for Common Grounds (SFCG) and Danish development agency (DANIDA) from September 18 to 20. Print media Journalists from 23 districts of Pakistan, AJK, FATA and Gilgit Baltistan participated in the workshop which was conducted by senior journalist Saeed Minhas in collaboration with PPF Coordinator Lala Hassan and SCG program officer Sheryar Khan.
Senator Kamran Michele of PML-N, chief guest in the concluding ceremony of the program, urged the participants to play a positive role in the society to quell differences and promote harmony by resorting to facts-based reporting and writings. He said that journalists were backbone of any healthy democratic and tolerable society and a weaker spinal cord is neither in the interest of state nor any government and society. Appreciating the organizers for developing the capacities of the participants, the Senator urged the participants to spread the gained skills and knowledge from this workshop to their respective areas to strengthen democratic and tolerable society.
Master trainer Saeed Minhas urged the participants to ensure impartiality and objectivity in their reporting and article writing without compromising on the basic tenants of journalism.
Participants of an advanced Training workshop on Peace Building said that media can play a pivotal role in promoting Peace and harmony in the society. They said that all stake holders should work on common ground approach to bring positive change in the society.
Print media journalists from North Waziristan, Rawalakot, Mirpur, Muzaffarabad, Quetta, Karachi, Sukkur, Gujrat, Lahore, Gwadar, Mastung, Multan, Bahawalpur, D.I Khan, Bannu, Sahiwal, Swabi, Mansehra, Mirpur, Larkana, Hyderabad, Swat, Swabi, Multan and other districts shared their views on Peace and conflict reporting.
The project is aimed to enhance the capacity and sustainability of Pakistani media, both electronic and print, to play a more active role in the creating peace and in promoting tolerance co-existence and non extremist’s approaches.
The training was aimed at developing skills in reporting on contentious political and social issues by introducing print journalists to peacebuilding skills and tools and to provide an opportunity to exchange lessons learned and strengthen collaboration for Peace building in Pakistan.
The work shop has enhanced the technical and operational capacities of the participants to produce programmes promoting reconciliation, with more balanced reporting, reduced sensationalism, and increased creativity. The participants wrote 23 articles during the workshop.
1. www.pakistan.um.dk/en/danida-en/
2. www.sfcg.org/programmes/pakistan/index.html
3. www.pakistanpressfoundation.org/about-ppf