Srinagar, May 24 (KMW): The Press Information Bureau (PIB) organized a one day rural media workshop “Vartalap†for the journalists of Anantnag and Kulgam districts on Saturday. The workshop was held at the Fakhri Aalam Auditorium of Government Degree College for Boys Anantnag (GDCBA), and was attended by around 70 working journalists from the two districts.
Vartalap was part of the PIB’s media outreach strategy, and aimed at sharpening resourcefulness among journalists. The workshop also intended to strengthen the interface the between government and the media organizations and journalists working at the grassroots level.
Director Information, Government of J&K, Shri Muneer ul Islam was the chief guest on the occasion and Principal GDCBA, Shri M Y Peerzada the guest of honour.
Lectures were delivered by experts and resource persons on various topics related to the contemporary rural media scenario catering to the professional requirements of rural journalists. Through their lectures, the experts attempted to make the journalists aware of their responsibilities and the role that they are expected to play in a society like Kashmir. The experts enlightened the participants about their experiences while working in rural settings, especially in a disturbed area. They stressed upon the need to give prominent space and due coverage to development related and day to day issues of common masses which tend to get sidelined in a conflict situation.
The experts also shared experiences of working in emergency situations like natural calamities and apprised the working journalists of the extra-ordinary responsibilities that lay on their shoulders in such situations.
Other prominent personalities present at the workshop were Shri Obaidur Rahman, Additional Director General (Media and Communication) PIB Srinagar, Shri Ghulam Abbas, Assistant Director (Media and Communication) PIB Srinagar, Shri Shafiq Ahmad Qureshi, Deputy Director, Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar, Shri M A Tantary, Assistant Director (News) All India Radio Srinagar, and Shri Mohammad Yousuf Ganai, Retired IIS Officer.
The workshop was also attended by senior working journalists including Shri Tarique Bhat of Associated Media, Shri Khursheed Wani of The Pioneer and Shri Haroon Rashid of Nida-I-Mashriq. Renowned freelance writer and social activist Dr Mirza Ashraf Beg was also among the dignitaries present.
PIB’s effort was appreciated by all present, and a desire was expressed to hold more such events in the future in far flung areas of the valley. Certificates of participation were also distributed among the participating journalists.
