BBC Worldwide, one of the oldest news services in the world, has planned to send 30 reporters on a special train journey to report on the lok Sabha elections to its 20-million-strong audience in India. It has already worked out the logistics with the Indian Railways.
The election train, according to BBC, will begin the journey on April 25 from New Delhi and will cover Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Patna and Allahabad, before returning to the capital on May 13.
BBC World Service executive editor for South Asia, Nazes Afroz said, “The purpose of travelling across the nation with a team of 30 reporters from our various language services and various media forms like TV, online and radio, is to investigate the key themes surrounding the elections and what Indians want from the polls.”
He pointed out, “We covered the US presidential elections, travelling across the nation over six weeks on a bus and used a boat to cover the recent Bangladesh national polls. We realised that if one has to properly capture the mood of India, taking a train is the best way.”
Equipped with communication devices like satellite phones, the reporters will alight from the train at places to get in-depth understanding of situations. “Our reporters will use mobile Internet, but the reports will not be live. Although satellite phones can’t be used from moving trains, we cam generate a lot of material on our laptops and use them later,” Afroz said.
Besides, the journey will help BBC reporters ascertain India’s place in the global economy. He said, “The world wonders how India is managing to still grow at a rate of around six per cent.
There has not been a meltdown here, but a slowdown. And people want to know how.”
Note: This is the blog for all about journalists, journalism and issues related to journalists. Bloggers are requested to please don't post items not related to journalism. Such and those posts containing vulgarity, obscenity, or derogatory remarks will be removed forthwith.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Kidnapped journalist escapes
BAHAWALPUR: Khawar Shafiq, a Faisalabad-based journalist who `went missing’ while going to home at Chak No 14, Ram Dewali on Sargodha Road in Faisalabad on Tuesday night, fled his captors’ custody in Liaquatpur, 120 kilometres from here, on Saturday night.
On arrival in Bahawalpur, Mr Shafiq claimed that he fled while the car (KHN-2627) he was being transported to some unspecified location by his captors broke down near Mauza Jindoo Pir on Liquatpur-Channigoth Road.
Mr Shafiq said he was kidnapped by three bearded men from his village on April 7 evening. The kidnappers bundled him into a white car and soon he was administered some liquid spiked with intoxicants and afterwards he fell unconscious.
When he regained consciousness, he found himself on a charpoy in a dark room and was without his cell phone, cash and other belongings. He said his captors treated him inhumanly.Mr Khawar claimed that his kidnapping was linked with the opening of the office of the Daniel Pearl Foundation in Faisalabad.
The foundation founded by Daniel’s father Dr Judea Pearl was set up in the memory of Mr Pearl who was killed in Pakistan a few years ago.
US Consulate principal officer Brian D. Hunt had inaugurated the office and the US consulate had also provided the office with 100 books on Jews and other inter-faith matters.He said during his confinement his captors grilled him on this matter and “my links with Jews and Hunt”.
Sometimes, they also tortured him and asked the addresses and details about those six Pakistanis, including some TV anchors, who had been awarded fellowships by the Daniel Pearl Foundation.Mr Shafiq claimed the kidnappers had told him that he would be presented before the ‘Sheikh’, who would decide his fate.
During his captivity, Mr Shafiq said, it felt that he had been detained in some rural area, where he could hear ‘azaan’ or prayer calling in the morning.He said the kidnappers claimed themselves as the members of an “Islamic Soldiers’ Front”.On Saturday after Maghrab prayers, the two captors asked him to change his dress.
Armed with pistols, they got him on the car and after traveling on some bumpy road for about one-and-a-half hour, the car broke down. He claimed that while his captors were busy repairing the fault, he got off the car and started strolling along the road.Soon he ran away from the scene taking advantage of the darkness.
After covering over one kilometer, he got a bus coming from Rahim Yar Khan. The bus conductor informed him that he was near Jindoopeer Adda, where he disembarked from the bus and took shelter in a shop of an ex-serviceman.Inside the shop, he phoned his colleagues in Bahawalpur and Faisalabad.
He said his captors also came to the adda in search for him but the shopkeeper hid him in the rear portion of the shop. Later, Mr Shafiq arrived in Bahawalpur and on Sunday, he was finally reunited with his family in Faisalabad.
Source: Dawn
Date:4/13/2009
Click here to view the source
On arrival in Bahawalpur, Mr Shafiq claimed that he fled while the car (KHN-2627) he was being transported to some unspecified location by his captors broke down near Mauza Jindoo Pir on Liquatpur-Channigoth Road.
Mr Shafiq said he was kidnapped by three bearded men from his village on April 7 evening. The kidnappers bundled him into a white car and soon he was administered some liquid spiked with intoxicants and afterwards he fell unconscious.
When he regained consciousness, he found himself on a charpoy in a dark room and was without his cell phone, cash and other belongings. He said his captors treated him inhumanly.Mr Khawar claimed that his kidnapping was linked with the opening of the office of the Daniel Pearl Foundation in Faisalabad.
The foundation founded by Daniel’s father Dr Judea Pearl was set up in the memory of Mr Pearl who was killed in Pakistan a few years ago.
US Consulate principal officer Brian D. Hunt had inaugurated the office and the US consulate had also provided the office with 100 books on Jews and other inter-faith matters.He said during his confinement his captors grilled him on this matter and “my links with Jews and Hunt”.
Sometimes, they also tortured him and asked the addresses and details about those six Pakistanis, including some TV anchors, who had been awarded fellowships by the Daniel Pearl Foundation.Mr Shafiq claimed the kidnappers had told him that he would be presented before the ‘Sheikh’, who would decide his fate.
During his captivity, Mr Shafiq said, it felt that he had been detained in some rural area, where he could hear ‘azaan’ or prayer calling in the morning.He said the kidnappers claimed themselves as the members of an “Islamic Soldiers’ Front”.On Saturday after Maghrab prayers, the two captors asked him to change his dress.
Armed with pistols, they got him on the car and after traveling on some bumpy road for about one-and-a-half hour, the car broke down. He claimed that while his captors were busy repairing the fault, he got off the car and started strolling along the road.Soon he ran away from the scene taking advantage of the darkness.
After covering over one kilometer, he got a bus coming from Rahim Yar Khan. The bus conductor informed him that he was near Jindoopeer Adda, where he disembarked from the bus and took shelter in a shop of an ex-serviceman.Inside the shop, he phoned his colleagues in Bahawalpur and Faisalabad.
He said his captors also came to the adda in search for him but the shopkeeper hid him in the rear portion of the shop. Later, Mr Shafiq arrived in Bahawalpur and on Sunday, he was finally reunited with his family in Faisalabad.
Source: Dawn
Date:4/13/2009
Click here to view the source
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Webb on the Web: Why Are You a Journalist?
By Amy Webb, IJNet Digital Media Consultant
This week's column is slightly less techy, but with all the changes happening to global media I thought it would be a good time to offer you a self-assessment. The goal is to help you learn a little more about why you're in journalism, what your interests are and how to work to your strengths.
If you're someone whose job is in peril, this assessment will help you figure out what to do next. For those of you at training organizations, you can adapt this self-assessment for the journalists you work with so that you can better understand their individual needs and challenges.
Section One: What are your interests?Sit down with a couple of magazines and newspapers that you already have at your home or office. If youʼre paper-free, think about what you listen to and watch. Go to your computer and pull up the networkʼs websites. If you get most of your information online, pull up 10 of your favorite websites.
Now, carefully go through your pile of stuff. Either tear out or print the stories that you like best. You might like them because of the way they sound or read. But you might also like a certain feature, or graphic element or maybe even just the subject matter. Take an hour or so to identify what you like. Once youʼre finished, spread out your clippings on a table or even on the floor.
Then answer the questions below:
1. Can you easily categorize the kinds of stories you preference? Are they all about politics? Do they all have the same number of words? Were they all built using Flash? Make a list of the similarities below:
2. What was it about these particular clippings that you liked? Was it the same style of writing or the same broadcast manner? Maybe it was the color scheme? Make a list of "whyʼs" below:
3. How often would you say that you think about the items on this list on a daily basis? For example, if you indicated that you really like stories built in Flash, how often do you seek out other content built that way? Have you been motivated to learn Flash on your own? Have you visited web tutorials or purchased books?
Section Two: How well do you work with your interests?Do you currently report/write/produce/research/teach about any of the topics you indicate as your interests?
1. If so, explain how youʼre doing that - and be objective. Would a third-party observer agree with you?
2. Could you build your interests into the work you do or want to do? For example, if you really like Baltimore professional athletics, could you somehow cover them at your current job? If not, what is preventing you?
Section Three: What are your skills?1. List your daily schedule. Be brutally honest and detailed.(Example: 8a-9a, follow up on phone calls and email using Skype and Gmail.)
2. Make a list of the skills you identify from the table above. What software do you know? What social networks do you use? What communications skills do you have?
3. Have you ever taught others to use any of those skills? Could you teach someone else?
Section Four: Combine!Now, list all of your interests in detail and think about the skills that might apply. For example, you might be greatly interested in public records and the information that can be gleaned from them. How might you access those records? A database on the Internet? What skills would you need to create one yourself? Or, you could be interested in fashion news, and maybe you have very good audio recording skills. Could you combine audio plus some photos and reporting to develop a weekly webcast about fashion?
Section Five: Action PlanNow, letʼs determine how best to move forward.
1. Who do you know? Who works in the fields of your interest? Who has the skills that you think you lack? Is there a website or product similar to what youʼre interested in? Create a list below of at least five people and their contact information. Next, pick a specific date when youʼll contact them. This is importasend that email or make the call.
2. What will it take to start that new job/ begin work on that new project? Whatʼs holding you back? Identify your perceived obstacles below. Take an objective look - are those real obstacles, or just excuses?
Click here to read all of Amy Webb's columns.
Amy Webb is a digital media consultant and head of Webbmedia Group, LLC. Find more multimedia tips and ideas at her blog, http://www.mydigimedia.com. You can also follow Amy on Twitter and delicious. Webbmedia Group is a vendor-neutral company. Any opinions expressed about products or services are formed after testing, research and interviews. Neither Amy Webb nor Webbmedia Group or its employees receives any financial or other benefits from vendors.
This week's column is slightly less techy, but with all the changes happening to global media I thought it would be a good time to offer you a self-assessment. The goal is to help you learn a little more about why you're in journalism, what your interests are and how to work to your strengths.
If you're someone whose job is in peril, this assessment will help you figure out what to do next. For those of you at training organizations, you can adapt this self-assessment for the journalists you work with so that you can better understand their individual needs and challenges.
Section One: What are your interests?Sit down with a couple of magazines and newspapers that you already have at your home or office. If youʼre paper-free, think about what you listen to and watch. Go to your computer and pull up the networkʼs websites. If you get most of your information online, pull up 10 of your favorite websites.
Now, carefully go through your pile of stuff. Either tear out or print the stories that you like best. You might like them because of the way they sound or read. But you might also like a certain feature, or graphic element or maybe even just the subject matter. Take an hour or so to identify what you like. Once youʼre finished, spread out your clippings on a table or even on the floor.
Then answer the questions below:
1. Can you easily categorize the kinds of stories you preference? Are they all about politics? Do they all have the same number of words? Were they all built using Flash? Make a list of the similarities below:
2. What was it about these particular clippings that you liked? Was it the same style of writing or the same broadcast manner? Maybe it was the color scheme? Make a list of "whyʼs" below:
3. How often would you say that you think about the items on this list on a daily basis? For example, if you indicated that you really like stories built in Flash, how often do you seek out other content built that way? Have you been motivated to learn Flash on your own? Have you visited web tutorials or purchased books?
Section Two: How well do you work with your interests?Do you currently report/write/produce/research/teach about any of the topics you indicate as your interests?
1. If so, explain how youʼre doing that - and be objective. Would a third-party observer agree with you?
2. Could you build your interests into the work you do or want to do? For example, if you really like Baltimore professional athletics, could you somehow cover them at your current job? If not, what is preventing you?
Section Three: What are your skills?1. List your daily schedule. Be brutally honest and detailed.(Example: 8a-9a, follow up on phone calls and email using Skype and Gmail.)
2. Make a list of the skills you identify from the table above. What software do you know? What social networks do you use? What communications skills do you have?
3. Have you ever taught others to use any of those skills? Could you teach someone else?
Section Four: Combine!Now, list all of your interests in detail and think about the skills that might apply. For example, you might be greatly interested in public records and the information that can be gleaned from them. How might you access those records? A database on the Internet? What skills would you need to create one yourself? Or, you could be interested in fashion news, and maybe you have very good audio recording skills. Could you combine audio plus some photos and reporting to develop a weekly webcast about fashion?
Section Five: Action PlanNow, letʼs determine how best to move forward.
1. Who do you know? Who works in the fields of your interest? Who has the skills that you think you lack? Is there a website or product similar to what youʼre interested in? Create a list below of at least five people and their contact information. Next, pick a specific date when youʼll contact them. This is importasend that email or make the call.
2. What will it take to start that new job/ begin work on that new project? Whatʼs holding you back? Identify your perceived obstacles below. Take an objective look - are those real obstacles, or just excuses?
Click here to read all of Amy Webb's columns.
Amy Webb is a digital media consultant and head of Webbmedia Group, LLC. Find more multimedia tips and ideas at her blog, http://www.mydigimedia.com. You can also follow Amy on Twitter and delicious. Webbmedia Group is a vendor-neutral company. Any opinions expressed about products or services are formed after testing, research and interviews. Neither Amy Webb nor Webbmedia Group or its employees receives any financial or other benefits from vendors.
Journalists hold protest
KARACHI - The journalist community on Thursday held a pro-test demonstration over restricting them from getting the media coverage of Sindh High Court (SHC) reference bench for the martyred lawyers.The reporters and cameramen reached the courtroom for the coverage of martyred case but the security personnel stopped them without any justification.
The full court reference was held over the killing of five lawyers in different incident in the metropolitan during the lawyers’ movement, including April 9 incident that was presided over by chief justice of SHC Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali.
The lawyers condemned such action, but none of them put the matter during the reference as they showed their ignorance. Interestingly, some of the lawyers’ leaders have claimed that they raised the issue before the participants as well as the chief justice of SHC and boycotted the reference, but no initiative was taken.
Soon following the reference, the media representatives gathered in the court building and recorded their protest. At this, president of Bar Rasheed A Rizvi, secretary Munir-ur-Rahman and others showed their unawareness about the incident.
On the occasion, Rasheed A Rizvi called administrative officer of high court of Sindh Syéd Sadaqat Au to inquire about the authority who ordered to restrict the media-men but the official refused to expose the motif be-hind the matter, saying that he was bound to keep it secret.
Rizvi expressed that the said reference was originally the pro-gram of the bar and they hosted it. So without taking the bar into confidence, such action should not be taken by the government as well as the high court officials, adding that none of the higher authority has right to interfere in any such event.
Such violation of law and order would not be tolerated next.On the other side, after attending the said reference, Munir A Malik condemned the behavior of court officials and said that the media has been a part of the lawyers’ grand movement, so it should not be neglected at any cost, rather, the media men should be respected and treated with Prestige.
Click here to view the source
The full court reference was held over the killing of five lawyers in different incident in the metropolitan during the lawyers’ movement, including April 9 incident that was presided over by chief justice of SHC Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali.
The lawyers condemned such action, but none of them put the matter during the reference as they showed their ignorance. Interestingly, some of the lawyers’ leaders have claimed that they raised the issue before the participants as well as the chief justice of SHC and boycotted the reference, but no initiative was taken.
Soon following the reference, the media representatives gathered in the court building and recorded their protest. At this, president of Bar Rasheed A Rizvi, secretary Munir-ur-Rahman and others showed their unawareness about the incident.
On the occasion, Rasheed A Rizvi called administrative officer of high court of Sindh Syéd Sadaqat Au to inquire about the authority who ordered to restrict the media-men but the official refused to expose the motif be-hind the matter, saying that he was bound to keep it secret.
Rizvi expressed that the said reference was originally the pro-gram of the bar and they hosted it. So without taking the bar into confidence, such action should not be taken by the government as well as the high court officials, adding that none of the higher authority has right to interfere in any such event.
Such violation of law and order would not be tolerated next.On the other side, after attending the said reference, Munir A Malik condemned the behavior of court officials and said that the media has been a part of the lawyers’ grand movement, so it should not be neglected at any cost, rather, the media men should be respected and treated with Prestige.
Click here to view the source
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Journalist missing after threats
FAISALABAD: Khawar Shafiq, a journalist, went missing on Tuesday night. According to his family, they had heard nothing about him for the past 24 hours.
The missing of Shafiq, who works for Daily Waqt, Lahore, has sent a wave of panic among journalists. They have called upon the government to trace his whereabouts.
A meeting of journalists at the Faisalabad Press Club was told that Mr Shafiq was being harassed by employees of a secret agency and he had taken his colleagues into confidence about the threats.
Mr Shafiq had left the press club at 6pm on Tuesday, but did not reach home.
Members of the press club have informed police about the disappearance of Khawar Shafiq.
Click here to view source
The missing of Shafiq, who works for Daily Waqt, Lahore, has sent a wave of panic among journalists. They have called upon the government to trace his whereabouts.
A meeting of journalists at the Faisalabad Press Club was told that Mr Shafiq was being harassed by employees of a secret agency and he had taken his colleagues into confidence about the threats.
Mr Shafiq had left the press club at 6pm on Tuesday, but did not reach home.
Members of the press club have informed police about the disappearance of Khawar Shafiq.
Click here to view source
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
