Clean and green: Senate body to launch media manual on environment

The manual will contain basic data and necessary information on climate change.

ISLAMABAD: The country’s first-ever media manual for journalists covering environment and climate change will be unveiled by Senate Sub-committee on Environment today (Monday).

The Media Manual, aimed at promoting cleaner environment in the country will be launched by a sub-committee of Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights.

“It is our responsibility to facilitate journalists to report on key issues of public interest” said Senator Mushahid Hussain, who is the convener of the sub-committee.

The manual will allow journalists to access data on environment and climate change, making it easier for them to report on the issue.

“It will contain basic data and necessary information on environment and climate change which will allow journalist to understand environmental issues,” Hussain said.

Highlighting Impacts of climate change, Hussain said that environment needs our attention and it is important to raise awareness through media.

Earlier, as Chairman of Senate Defence Committee, Senator Mushahid Hussain had also launched the Cyber Security Manual for journalists.

The three-member Senate panel on environmental issues headed by Senator Mushahid Hussain, comprises of Senators Farhatullah Babar and Hidayatullah as members.

Since its formation, the panel has held three public hearings on issues related to environment, climate change and reducing emissions from deforestation (REDD) and degradation of forests. These hearings have included lawmakers from broth treasury and opposition benches, civil society, environmental activists and the media.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 10^th, 2014.