Objective reporting, safety and cyber security training for journalists held 
Objective reporting, safety and cyber security training for journalists held 
Our Reporter
Balochistan

QUETTA: To ensure journalists safety and security while reporting from field, Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) organized the three-day training on, “Safety

, Digital Security and Psychosocial Support” for journalists with the financial assistance of European Union (EU). The training workshop was attended by male and female journalists from various districts of Sindh and Balochistan. The workshop consisted of various activities in order to benefit the media workers and journalists during their field work in perilous situations. The training sessions consist of various modules and practical exercises explaining the details of objectivity in reporting, risk assessment,

preparation of proof of life documents, first aid, tips for coping with untoward situation and tactics for ensuring digital security. The workshop discussed national and international legal frameworks for protection of journalists emphasizing Article 10, 19 and 19-A of the constitution of Pakistan which are related to arbitrary detention, freedom of speech and right of access to information respectively. Syed Raza Ali, Project Coordinator, CPDI explained the importance of Right to Information for investigative journalism. Ali enlighten the training participants on the process of filing information requests and procedures for lodging complaints. Ashfaq Khan the trainer explained constitutional provisions regards to journalists’ safety and Ashfaq Khan,

the trainer elaborated the protection and impunity in crimes against journalists need the immediate attention of the government. Speedy and effective legislation is the need of the hour as there is no specific law that deals with journalists’ protection and safety.
During the training session it also came to the forefront that journalists who are working on crimes, political and corruption beats are more exposed to risky situation. Pakistan is reported as one of the most dangerous countries for journalism in the world, and it is considered that journalism is one of the most dangerous professions in Pakistan. Media organizations with limited resources, cannot provide adequate protection training and security to journalists and freelancers. In view of these circumstances, CPDI launched the project “Civil Society for Independent Media and Expression (CIME)” with the financial support of the European Union in order to ensure Freedom of Expression within the ambit of the constitution and prioritize journalists’ safety training for the purpose. The series of training sessions were delivered in Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar while the 10th session of the training concluded today, after awarding course completion certificates among the participants.
Sadaf Suleman, Shafqat Aziz, Ayesha Shaikh, Rimsha, Rashid Ali, Hafiz Ullah, Mohib Ullah, Mir Behram Baloch, Atif Raza, Rani Wahidi, Mashal Baloch, Arshad Yousafzai Junaid Shah and others participants of the training said that such training sessions will prove helpful in ensuring safety and security in field reporting while the networking among journalists through these forums will generate a collective voice for advocating for better legislation for journalists’ protection and security. Organizing such training sessions for young journalists not only enhance their professional skills but also help them to cope with unsafe and stressful situations during the course of duty.
Various groups of journalists commended the efforts of CPDI and the European Union for organizing such training sessions and called on the journalists’ organizations to hold similar sessions for young journalists in order to ensure their safety and protection in the field.