Islamabad: (PPF) To enhance media safety and reporting standards, the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) convened its Media Safety Investigative Reporting Fellows in Karachi for a three-day capacity-building workshop.  The workshop, from December 26th to 28th, 2024, brought together journalists from across Pakistan, including Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The workshop began with an overview and detailed review of attacks against journalists during 2024 including physical violence, online harassment, legal intimidation, internet shutdowns as well as laws and policies that impact free expression.

An expert in the field, Dr. Raza Gardezi conducted a session on the effective use of Right To Information (RTI) laws by journalists. The session detailed the process of filing RTI requests and how these laws can be utilized by journalists to gather data for their reporting. Participants practiced drafting RTI requests related to their current reporting topics.

The workshop also featured peer review sessions where journalists critically assessed each other’s story drafts, providing valuable feedback on story structure, source diversity, and ethical considerations. This exercise was designed to refine their reporting techniques and enhance the impact of their investigative journalism.

An additional practical component was a visit to the Special Security Unit (SSU) Headquarters, where participants learned about emergency response tactics and safety protocols. This hands-on experience provided vital knowledge for protecting themselves while reporting in such situations.