From Shazia Tahir
Lahore : Lahore, one of Pakistan's most populous cities, grapples with severe
environmental challenges ranging from air and water pollution to waste management issues.
Journalists in the city have increasingly voiced their concerns over these pressing environmental
issues, highlighting the detrimental impact on public health and the urgent need for sustainable
solutions. Through investigative reporting and advocacy journalism, media representatives in
Lahore are working for public awareness, hold authorities accountable, and drive positive change
for a greener and healthier city.
The Global Neighbourhood for Media Innovation (GNMI), in collaboration with the United
States Department of State, organized a 3-Day Sabz Journalism Environmental Journalism
training in Lahore. Led by senior environmental journalist Afia Salam, the training aimed to
empower mid-level journalists, digital content producers, and filmmakers actively engaged in
climate-related reporting across various media platforms.
“Sabz Journalism Fellowship Program is our dedication to empowering journalists with the skills
to address urgent environmental concerns”, Husnain Raza, Director GNMI. “By training a new
cohort in Lahore proficient in data-driven reporting and investigative methods, we're laying the
groundwork for informed discussions and impactful solutions to climate challenges,” he added.
The training covered various aspects, including insights into environmental science,
differentiating between climate and environmental issues, adopting data-driven and investigative
approaches to storytelling, learning digital narrative techniques, and devising effective methods
for content sharing. Practical exercises were incorporated to strengthen participants' storytelling
abilities, with particular emphasis on integrating environmental angles into their regular
reporting practices.
The sessions featured industry experts like Talha Ahad, CEO and founder of The Centrum Media
(TCM), a prominent digital news network, and Badar Khushnood, co-founder of Bramerz and
Fishry, leading digital startups in Pakistan. Sabz Journalism fellows benefited from their wealth
of experience, learning about digital news startups and marketing strategies aimed at developing
or enhancing their digital news platforms for environmental reporting.
Addressing the fellows, senior broadcast journalist Ajmal Jami emphasized the significance of
leveraging digital media skills to educate the public about climate mitigation and adaptation.
“We cannot ignore the alarming decline in Lahore's air quality and it's imperative that we take
urgent action to address the environmental challenges we face," pointed out by Jami. He also
elucidated the significance of informed reporting on the ongoing environmental degradation in
Lahore city and the Ravi river basin, where pollution from urban, industrial, and agricultural
sources poses significant risks to human health, food security, and water safety.
"The degradation of Lahore's environment is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention,"
remarked local journalists from Punjab’s capital city. We must work together to reduce pollution
and its impact on our city. Another participant added, "As journalists, it's our duty to highlight
the environmental issues affecting our city. Independent media platforms are essential to call for
decisive action to combat pollution and urbanization."
Fellows belonging to the reputable media houses of Lahore including, The News, Pakistan
Television (PTV), Daily Jang, Express News, Samaa TV, Public News, Hum News, as well as
various print and digital media outlets, participated in the event.
Sabz Journalism Fellowship Program aims to empower journalists with the necessary skills and
knowledge to report effectively on environmental issues, promoting awareness and
understanding among the public. The program also seeks to promote data-driven and
investigative reporting, achieve inclusive economic growth and sustainable development by
producing and disseminating climate-focused content on digital media platforms.
GNMI is a registered non-profit media development organization that drives social impact
through innovative use of media and technology. The organization employs state-of-the-art
literacy programs and runs rights-based advocacy campaigns on media platforms for
sustainable, innovative, and empowering solutions. With the support of United States
Department of State, Sabz Journalism Fellowship Program is committed to improve the quality
and volume of environmental reporting in Pakistan, ultimately contributing to increased public
awareness and better-informed decision-making on environmental issues.