JOURNALISTS RAISE VOICE FOR THE RESTORATION OF ISLAMABAD'S PRISTINE GREEN CHARACTER

Pledge to highlight the importance of preserving City's ecological gems amidst the evolving urban landscape through digital media platforms

A session on 'Understanding Environmental Journalism' 

* Why should Pakistan sign on to commitments like the MDGs and SDGs if we cannot meet the targets, only to face potential embarrassment?

* Climate change is a divisive issue pitting the southern and northern regions against each other: Afia Salam, Environmental Specialist/ Journalist 

* In order to create a high-quality production that effectively conveys a specific issue, it is essential to have top-notch content, presented in a clear and simple: Talha Ahad, Multimedia Journalist/ Documentary Filmmaker

* Every journalist should teach because engaging in teaching can enhance all skills, while online resources like Google Analytics certification offering valuable knowledge for digital marketing and monetization: Badar Khushnood, Digital Marketing & Monetization Expert 

 

ISLAMABAD: Environmental experts and journalists have urged legislators to take decisive measures to safeguard Islamabad's environment, which was once renowned for its abundant greenery and limited urbanisation. They have also emphasised the need for media organisations to dedicate prime time slots to educate masses about climate change and environmental destruction, while climate change concerns must be integrated into the national educational curriculum in order to preserve the natural ecosystem. 

Identifying the Climate Issues

This was the gist of a 3-day Sabz Journalism Fellowship Program (SJFP) in Islamabad organised by the Global Neighbourhood for Media Innovation (GNMI), in collaboration with the State Department, Embassy of United States.

The training, spearheaded by senior environmental journalist Afia Salam, sought to empower mid-career journalists, digital content producers, and filmmakers who are actively involved in reporting on climate-related issues across different media platforms.

Storyboarding & Digital Production (Startup) 

In his introductory address, Director Programs GNMI Husnain Raza said that environmental journalism serves a vital purpose in increasing awareness and influencing public perception regarding important environmental matters. He stated that GNMI’s goal with this training is to provide reporters and content creators with the necessary knowledge and abilities to enhance the coverage of climate-related news in Pakistan.

Participants explored a range of crucial environmental topics during a dynamic three-day training program, covering areas such as understanding the science behind environmental issues, distinguishing between climate and environment, acquiring skills in data-driven and investigative storytelling, mastering digital storytelling techniques, and devising effective strategies for audience engagement. The training incorporated hands-on activities aimed at enhancing participants' production skills, with a focus on integrating environmental perspectives into their reporting practices.

The Sabz Journalism fellows were fortunate to participate in training sessions conducted by well-known experts in the industry. These sessions were facilitated by Talha Ahad, the CEO and founder of The Centrum Media (TCM), a prominent digital news network, and Badar Khushnood, the co-founder of Bramerz and Fishry, successful digital startups in Pakistan.

Participants involved in gaining insights into climate change challenges and methods of reporting 

Dr. Bashir Ahmad, Director of the Centre of Excellence for Water Resources Research and Development (CEWRRD), Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), was one of the esteemed speakers at the training session. Joining him were Zeeshan Mangi, Deputy Chief of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Section at the Ministry of Planning and Development, along with seasoned broadcast journalists Tanzeela Mazhar and Absa Komal. 

A group photo at the end
Photographs credit Sajid 

Through these sessions, the fellows had the privilege of learning from the wealth of knowledge and experience of these experts. They gained valuable insights into the intricacies of digital news startups and effective marketing strategies for enhancing their digital news platforms, particularly in the realm of environmental reporting.

Journalists in Islamabad have noted that the growing urban population is worsening the impacts of climate change, leading to the city's transformation into a concrete jungle. They highlighted that as the city expands, deforestation of the Margala hills and increased construction are leading to higher emissions and diminishing green spaces.