ISLAMABAD:Principal Information Officer (PIO) Raeesa Adil on Thursday announced that various training courses for journalists, particularly in freelancing, digital media and climate reporting, will soon be launched in collaboration with the Information Service Academy to equip media professionals with the skills required to meet the demands of the contemporary digital media landscape.
She made the announcement during her visit to the National Press Club (NPC), where she held a meeting with women journalists.
Addressing the participants, the PIO said the media was rapidly entering the digital era, making it essential to focus on the capacity building of journalists, especially women.
She also stressed the need for facilities such as a separate ladies’ room, a rest room and a day care centre for children at the National Press Club to facilitate women journalists.
Raeesa Adil assured the participants that she would raise these suggestions at the relevant forum.
She also assured support for proposals to introduce a health card, an accreditation card for digital journalists and a women journalists’ help desk in the Press Information Department to address unresolved issues faced by women journalists.
The PIO said assuming the responsibility of Principal Information Officer was both an honour and a great responsibility.
She added that the government and the media were partners and emphasized the need to further strengthen mutual trust and communication to ensure the dissemination of accurate and responsible information to the public.
On the occasion, National Press Club President Abdul Razaq Sial thanked the PIO for visiting the Press Club and briefed her on measures being taken for women journalists and other members of the club.
He said women journalists were playing an important role in the media industry but continued to face challenges, including job insecurity, low salaries, layoffs, limited training opportunities and inadequate workplace facilities.
A question-and-answer session was also held during the meeting, in which women journalists discussed issues related to the profession.
A detailed discussion was held on possible solutions to various challenges faced by women journalists, including difficulties in obtaining accreditation cards.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the National Press Club presented a commemorative shield to Principal Information Officer Raeesa Adil.
The event was attended by National Press Club President Abdul Razaq Sial, Secretary Dr. Furqan Rao, Finance Secretary Abid Abbasi, Senior Vice President Ehtesham-ul-Haq, Vice President Bashir Chaudhry, Senior Joint Secretary Shiraz Gardezi, Joint Secretary Syed Aun Shirazi, Governing Body Member Aamir Rafiq Butt, Farah Rabbani, Ayesha Naz, former Governing Body Member Naveed Ahmed Sheikh, other Governing Body members and a large number of women journalists associated with various media organizations.