Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) as part of its support to Pakistani civil society, has completed its first training programme for Pakistani journalists, where almost 20 journalists have been trained on how to collect data and report on disasters through advanced use of social media.
The training programme included a two week visit to Denmark, where the first week provided the journalists the opportunity to meet key stakeholders in Denmark, including Danish mediahouses. Visits to the Danish Parliament, Audit of Public Accounts and Ministry of Foreign Affairs were among the key visits. The programme has been designed and implemented by the Danish Embassy here in collaboration with the Danish School of Media and Journalism - one of the most prestigious journalism educational institutes in Denmark. Danish Ambassador to Pakistan, Uffe Wollfhechel, said that the Government of Denmark initiated this training programme for Pakistani journalists as part of Danish support to enhance the media's role in collecting factual data and reporting on socio-economic challenges in Pakistan.
Wollffhechel said that media holds an important role in providing the Government, civil society and most importantly the general public with a factual analysis of any challenging situation, so that decisions may be taken based on the actual situation and society need. Pakistan has since the past few years experienced a wave of natural disasters impacting millions of Pakistani people across the country and we have often seen that when such disasters strike a country, one of the challenges lie in mapping the disaster areas and the needs of the affected. This is why we chose this theme for the training, as it is relevant and important for Pakistan.
By providing the journalists new, innovative and effective ways of collecting and analysing data, the embassy believes that it will go a long way in creating a flow of balanced information, which would result in developing a strategic relief plan for those in dire need of support and help - if and when required". Nils Mulvad, a renowned Danish journalist and also the trainer of the program shared that the participants carried out practical training in use of the newest tools in mobile and social media (Twitter, Flickr, Youtube, Bambuser, Storify and WordPress) for covering disasters and other events.-PR