Skardu (Correspondent): UNDP and GLOF-II project arranged a three-day training session for journalists of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) on media coverage of climate change-induced glacial lake outburst floods at Skardu Press Club on Monday.
Journalists from across G-B nominated by their respective press blubs attended the session.
The aim of the session was to create awareness in journalists about climate-induced disasters, especially GLOF in Gilgit-Baltistan thus enabling them to report such disasters in an effective and timely manner.
The introductory session of the training workshop consisted of a comprehensive presentation on GLOF’s strategies to address the challenges of a rapidly changing environment.
Provincial Coordinator GLOF-II Project Abdul Basit briefed about the purpose and significance of the training workshop.
The chief guest of the opening session was Additional Chief Secretary (Development) Aziz Ahmed Jamali.
While addressing the participants, Jamali said. Journalists are an important and responsible part of the society. Their training to report effectively and responsibly is very important as they act as the first responders in any natural or human-made disasters.
He said the media need to develop a coherent narrative to mitigate the risks of climate change, considering the circumstances. There is a dire need for a close working relationship between media organizations, the provincial government, and the UNDP for the conservation of nature to effectively use resources to avoid and mitigate the effect of natural disasters.
While talking to the participants, the CCO of Centrum Media (TCM), Talha Ahad discussed the timely and informative reporting of during the events of natural disasters, accidents, and risks on TV and YouTube, including other digital media networks. He also discussed scriptwriting and similar things related to reporting natural disasters.
While talking to the participants, Communication Officer UNDP Pakistan Shamim Raza, Assistant Director of Information Department Gilgit-Baltistan Salim Khan, Field Coordinator UNDP Rashid Uddin, and others were also present.
The workshop will continue for the next two days.
