Reporting on conflict: Call for robust training of reporters

Journalists said reporters of conflict areas should receive psychological care.

A one-day media training workshop on “reporting conflicts” was held at the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) in collaboration with the High Commission of Canada in Islamabad.

Renowned journalists deliberated on multi-faceted security challenges being faced by reporters working in conflict-struck areas. The workshop discussed the concept of conflict reporting and how to report incidents of terrorism.

PIPS Director Muhammad Amir Rana said that “the conference aimed to highlight the issues of conflict reporting which may be best understood but not practiced.

Senior reporter Azaz Syed explained the concept of conflict reporting. He said conflicts in Pakistan were of multiple dimensions — political, sectarian, ethnic, and religious — putting many challenges to journalists. He said there was no hundred per cent safety for journalists in conflict-hit areas, however, the risks could be reduced by taking certain measures.

He said “the cameras of journalists were insured, but the journalists were not”.

Senior journalist Iqbal Kattak highlighted the risks being faced by journalists in conflict-hit areas.

“Information should save a life and it should not a take life,” he said.

He stressed the need on post-traumatic treatment of journalists in conflict zones.  “The electronic and print media should look beyond their geographical boundaries and practice rational and objective reporting with complete dissemination of information,” he said.

Journalist Ziaur Rehman discussed the capacity issues in reporting conflicts from different parts of the country, especially from Karachi, Balochistan and Fata. He said not only reporters but also the people working in the newsroom should be properly trained.

Senior journalist Rana Jawad said there was an urgent need for journalists to be professionally trained in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2015.