INNDEVCOM: Citizen Journalism: A Vital Tool in Disaster Management in Pakistan

Citizen Journalism: A Vital Tool in Disaster Management in Pakistan

A Vision for Preparedness: NDMA Seminar on Public Awareness for Disasters in Pakistan.

On the morning of 18th August 2023, the air in the seminar room was charged with an intense but optimistic focus. Experts from various backgrounds had come together for a special Seminar, organized under the theme "Innovative Approaches to Public Awareness for Disasters in Pakistan". The panelists were aware of the immense challenge before them — in a nation no stranger to the devastating impacts of natural disasters, how could public awareness and preparedness be elevated?

A Shared Concern

Rector NUTECH, Lt. General Moazzam Ejaz, addressed the seminar, his words vividly painting the urgency of the situation. "In an age of intensifying climate challenges, ensuring public awareness and preparedness is not just a necessity—it is a critical responsibility for all of us," he noted.

A Child’s Perspective: Empathy Through Reporting

As the seminar delved deeper, Ms. Humera Qasim Khan from Save the Children Pakistan Program took the stage. Her talk centered on the theme of 'Climate Journalism & Child-focused Climate Crisis Reporting’. She shared heart-wrenching stories of children affected by recent calamities. Through her passionate narrative, she underlined that the youngest citizens are often the most vulnerable during a crisis and that the media has a pivotal role in spotlighting their stories and advocating for their unique needs.

The Tightrope of Timeliness and Truth

Next was Dr. Farrukh Shahzad from MS BU, who navigated the complex landscape of ethical dilemmas in disaster reporting. "Getting the news out quickly is essential," he stated, "but what if that news is wrong?" This question led to an engaged discussion about the need to balance the immediacy of news reporting with the critical responsibility of accuracy—a central concern for disaster journalism.

A Picture Worth a Thousand Words

Tahir Ahmed Dhindsa

Mr. Tahir Dhindsa from Sustainable Development Television of Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), an expert in visual storytelling, took the attendees on a visual journey. He demonstrated how compelling visuals, from poignant photographs to sharp data visualizations, can be used effectively to tell the stories of disasters. His images evoked deep empathy and spurred the audience to consider how such visuals could be potent tools for raising awareness and encouraging action.

The People’s Voice: Citizen Journalism

Ms. Puruesh Chaudhary, a prominent media strategist, brought the audience into the digital age, focusing on the transformative potential of citizen journalism and social media platforms. She narrated stories of ordinary people becoming extraordinary reporters of their own experiences during disasters. Chaudhary's engaging talk highlighted how these tools empower individuals to supplement the efforts of traditional media, enhancing transparency and accountability in critical times.

The Lifeline of Real-Time Information

According to Ms. Chaudhary, social media equips citizen journalism with the power to deliver real-time information during crises. This immediate information is a lifeline for disaster mitigation organizations, aiding in the swift coordination of rescue and relief efforts precisely where they are urgently required. In essence, time-sensitive, firsthand accounts from the ground can, and do, save lives.

Gender Imbalance in Citizen Reporting

During her talk, Chaudhary raised a critical issue - the gender disparity prevalent within the realm of citizen journalism. The majority of the citizen reports are sourced from men, resulting in a male-dominated narrative. This skew limits the inclusivity of the information received and often overlooks the unique experiences and challenges faced by women and children during disasters.

Harnessing the Power of Emerging Technologies

Chaudhary emphasized the diverse array of tools at the disposal of citizen journalists in Pakistan. WhatsApp, she noted, is a popular platform for the dissemination of text-based information, whereas TikTok has carved a significant space for visual content. More importantly, she highlighted the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI tools can categorize, verify, and assess the reliability of this information, providing a robust mechanism for more effective, accurate, and accountable reporting.

The Necessity of Formal Training for Media Personnel

The seminar also underscored the urgency for formally training media personnel. The dilemma of bystanders becoming casualties during disasters was highlighted, emphasizing the need for journalists to balance the compulsion to report with the necessity of personal safety. Certified disaster media training, potentially offered through collaborations with technologists or senior media professionals, emerged as a strong recommendation from the seminar.

Extending Reach: The Role of Traditional Channels

The call for broader disaster communication and risk awareness was clear. The seminar proposed extending the scope of information dissemination beyond digital and social platforms. For example, automated messages from electronic centers could be broadcasted through places of worship, like mosques, in rural areas. This would ensure that vital information reaches the most vulnerable populations, even when they are not online.

Reflecting on Pakistan’s Disaster History and Media’s Role

Pakistan has a long history of disasters, but the focused national approach towards Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is more recent, gaining traction, particularly after the devastating 2005 earthquake. The seminar served as a poignant reminder of the existing gap in DRR efforts in Pakistan, particularly in relation to the role of media. The need for a nationwide understanding of climate change and DRR was identified as a priority.

Recommendations and Acknowledgments

To solidify the integration of media into DRR strategies, the seminar concluded with several recommendations:

Establish formal training qualifications for journalists covering disasters
Create a National Institute of Disaster Embedded Journalists
Hold recurring seminars and expos on DRR and the media’s role, to continue educating both the public and stakeholders.

The seminar ended with a token of appreciation presented to the panel members and the session’s moderator by the honorable chairman and session chair.

The seminar highlighted the transformative impact that citizen journalism, empowered by social media and emerging technologies, can have on disaster management in Pakistan. However, the discussions also revealed the need for infrastructure—particularly in the form of formal training for media personnel—that supports responsible and safe reporting during disasters. As Pakistan faces an increasing array of climate-related challenges, the integration of media into the country's DRR strategies is no longer optional—it is a necessity.

In an ever-evolving digital age, citizen journalism stands as a powerful tool for transparency, accountability, and effective disaster response, but harnessing its full potential requires foresight, preparation, and education.

Crafting the Path Forward

The session chair and moderator facilitated an animated and insightful discussion among the panelists. Key insights crystallized during this exchange, signaling the necessity for:

Rigorous training and ethical guidelines for journalists reporting on disasters,
Strategies to combat misinformation during crises,
More extensive collaboration between media, government agencies, and NGOs,
Inclusive reporting that reflects the diverse impacts of disasters on various community groups, including children, women, and marginalized populations.

A Roadmap for Resilience

As the seminar concluded, the atmosphere was one of hopeful determination. Seminar 10 had served as a platform for these experts to not only discuss but to catalyze innovative approaches for raising public awareness on disasters in Pakistan. As Pakistan continues to grapple with severe and increasingly frequent climatic events, the insights and recommendations arising from this seminar offer a vital roadmap. It illuminated the media's central role—both traditional and citizen-driven—in educating the public, shaping perceptions, and driving action before, during, and after disasters.

In the words of Ms. Chaudhary, which echoed in the minds of attendees as they departed, "In our hands, we hold the tools to inform, to prepare, and to save lives. Let us wield them with care, compassion, and unyielding commitment."

This seminar marked not an end, but a strong and resolute step forward in Pakistan’s journey toward disaster preparedness and resilience.