CITIZEN JOURNALISM PROGRAMME LAUNCHED AT COMMUNITY GRASS ROOT LEVEL TO EMPOWER MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES TO REPORT ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC ISSUES.

Islamabad, 9th June 2009 – SAMAA TV, one of Pakistan’s leading Urdu news channel has signed a MoU with the Rotary Club of Islamabad Metropolitan (RCIM) for a media development programme for local communities, which aims at developing citizen journalism across Pakistan and create current news and information relevant to the national public.

The partnership between the two organizations will aim at developing opportunities to empower the RCIM adopted Government Girls schools of Uppra Gurha, Sihala, ICT to advance literacy among the enrolled school children and their surrounding communities to report on their particular socio-economic issues through citizen journalism.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ms. Aabira Sher Afgan, President of RCIM applauded SAMAA TV for showing its full support in the development of education for marginalized communities. Ms. Aabira said “It is not often that we see a media organization intervene in the development sector and provide its full support and realizing the sensitivity of issues among vulnerable communities. SAMAA has shown its constructiveness and commitment in making real efforts for the positive development of our youth, in particular those who are less privileged in our society due to financial, educational and social barriers”. The President of the RCIM shared that the programme will aim at mobilizing the adopted local community through the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at the schools with close collaboration with the Federal Directorate of Education (FED), Ministry of Education, to report on the socio-economic challenges, opportunities and impact.

A 14 member Joint School Committee, comprising of RCIM school committee members, members of PTA, principals of the adopted schools and senior representative of FDE and SAMAA TV will be established at the adopted government schools level to coordinate with SAMAA journalist network to coordinate and disseminate the relevant news.

Mr. Amir Jahangir, Chief Executive Officer of SAMAA TV said that “this programme is to empower these young children and the communities in which they live, to take self initiatives and report on the issues in their communities and thereby create content for the media to take those issues forward and find the solutions”. He further said that the long term effect of the programme will be a more conscious and empowered community, who will have the tool, knowledge and remedy for the way forward.

Professor Rafique Tahir, Director FDE said that this partnership is a role model as such initiatives will not only support the empowerment process of local communities but also enhance the literacy and enrolment of girl students. He said that the more aware communities are, the more focus would be given to pursuing education and make a difference following the principles of sustainable development.

The RCIM is a non-profit organization that promotes understanding through humanitarian service programmes, educational, health and cultural exchanges. It is supported solely by voluntary contributions by Rotarians and others who share its vision of a better world. The RCIM is a member of a worldwide Rotary International of business and professional leaders that provides voluntary humanitarian service, encourages high ethical standards in all vocations and helps build goodwill and peace in the world

SAMAA TV is one of Pakistan’s leading private satellite television channels, which takes pride in its fair, factual and independent news coverage through its on-the-hour bulletins, breaking stories, incisive political analysis and current affairs programs. The channel has also made a niche for itself through its programs on women and youth issues besides infotainment and sports. SAMAA TV, launched in December 2007 has network of district correspondents and 5 bureaus across Pakistan along with international stringers in the Middle East, Europe and North America.