Quetta: Nestled between the Solomon and Toba Kakar mountains and surrounded by the vast expanse of Balochistan Plateau, Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province in Pakistan, emerges as a beacon of natural beauty and cultural heritage. The ecological landscape in and around Quetta is a study in contrasts, with arid deserts coexisting with lush valleys and gardens. Despite severe challenges such as desertification and water scarcity, it remains a symbol of resilience for land communities and the complex relationship between human society and the environment.
The Global Neighborhood for Media Innovation (GNMI) in association with the United States Department of State organized a 3-day Green Journalism Environmental Journalism Workshop in Quetta. Led by senior environmental journalist Afia Salam, the training is aimed at empowering mid-level journalists, digital content producers and filmmakers on various media platforms.
Husnain Raza, director of GNMI, said: “Environmental Journalism is important in creating awareness and influencing public opinion about the critical environmental challenges facing Quetta.” Improve weather reports to suit the unique environmental conditions of the city and surrounding areas,” he said.
“Understanding the rural dynamics and ecological diversity of Balochistan is a top priority for journalists,” said Dr Tahir Rashid, Chief Executive Officer of the Balochistan Rural Support Program (BRSP). He also gave a thoughtful overview of biodiversity and climate issues in Balochistan.
They must rely on factual information and use digital platforms skillfully to amplify local events,” said Syed Ali Shah, founder of Quetta Voice, a digital news platform.
The extensive program covers topics such as environmental studies, differentiating climate and environment, producing data-driven and investigative stories, digital storytelling techniques, and content distribution strategies. Training sessions are integrated to improve the production capabilities of participants by incorporating an environmental perspective into their daily reports.
The course features sessions led by renowned experts such as independent filmmaker and documentary producer Nasser Rind and experienced digital marketing expert Shah Zaib. Green Journalism Fellows have the right to learn from their wealth of experience and gain insight into marketing techniques to create or strengthen digital news platforms for digital news initiatives and environmental reporting.
“Bangladesh’s climate challenges are diverse, from water scarcity to desertification, and we must address these issues comprehensively to protect our environment and communities.” Local journalists spoke at the training.
Those who belong to reputed media houses of Quetta include Pakistan Television (PTV), Voice of America (Urdu), Dunya News, Bol News, Pakistan Pakistan, Voice of Balochistan, CNN, Urdu Point and various print and digital media participating in the point.
The Green Journalism fellowship program aims to provide journalists with the skills and knowledge necessary to report effectively on environmental issues and promote public awareness and understanding. The program also seeks to promote data-driven and analytical reporting, inclusive economic growth, and sustainable development through the production and dissemination of climate-focused content on digital media platforms.
