Joining hands: Synergy between development and media

Venture will focus on the basic issues faced by the people and development practitioners at the grass root level.

A non-government organisation and a radio station have joined hands to bring developmental issues into the limelight.

A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed by Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) and Power99 FM Radio Network in Islamabad on Tuesday, said a press release issued by the SPO.

The venture, according to the press release, “will focus on the basic issues faced by the people and development practitioners at the grass root level.”

Both organisations will work together to prepare programs, news and views about development sector in Pakistan.

In order to promote citizen journalism and aligning development related packages with behavioural change communication, SPO will provide human resources in 54 districts of Pakistan, whereas Power99 Radio would train them to garner timely information, especially during emergencies.

Commenting on the importance of this collaboration Naseer Memon, Chief Executive SPO, said that mainstream media focuses more on the issues that are in vogue and the real issues of people tend to be ignored.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 1^st, 2011.