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Two-day media training on disaster-related reporting held

A two-day training workshop for health journalists concluded here on Saturday to improve their capacity building for responsible and accurate reporting on disaster-related issues and optimal use of available digital tools and social media platforms.

Speakers stressed the need of an optimum use of digital tools in journalism and awareness of laws and regulations related to media are very much important for the protection of journalists and accurate reporting of health and disaster related issues.

As many as 26 reporters from print and electronic media got training organized by PATTAN Development Organization in collaboration with Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability (TDEA).

The training for reporters was organized under a project called Local Action for Democratic and Inclusive Response to COVID-19 or LADIR. It is a seven-month project under which TDEA and FAFN member organizations are impartially monitoring the government’s efforts to tackle the Covid-19 epidemic so that recommendations can be made for a strategy that addresses all sections of society.

Under the same project, training was provided to local journalists so that they can enhance their skills and play their journalistic role effectively while keeping themselves safe during the recent epidemic.

They said that the role of free media is very much important to strengthen democracy. They added that independent media also plays an important role in educating basic constitutional rights of the people besides strengthening democratic values in the society.

The media plays a vital role in raising the voice of the discriminated classes in the society and bringing them into the mainstream. The media has reported many incidents of violations of the fundamental rights of women, minorities, transgender, or children.

Due to media pressure, government departments and officials are forced to take action on such incidents. It is as if the media assists in the process of bringing together all sections of society, the true spirit of democracy.

It is important for journalists to know the constitution and the law so that they can cover their news and analysis in their light. Journalists familiar with constitutional rights and laws can find good news and write it in a better way. Awareness of rules and regulations also helps a journalist to defend himself and his news legally.

News and analysis on human rights enshrined in the Constitution and the law keep ordinary citizens informed of their legal rights and help them speak out. Only journalists and society aware of constitutional and legal rights can hold governments, government organizations and officials accountable.

The 21st century is also called the information age, the digital age or the new media age. This is because the means of information transfer are faster and due to new technology, the media and journalism are also changing rapidly. It is very important for journalists to understand the methods and art of digital reporting.