Ex Fellow of US Pakistan
Journalism exchange program, June 2014
Current Affairs Producer
at Capital TV Islamabad
Atique where you see yourself after three years? “I will
start my own media academy mainly in media training domain” I replied. I think probably that was the question asked
by Babar Temoor (Program
Director for US Pakistan Journalism exchange program ) to me when I was
short listed for this prestigious program for mid-career journalists.
Three times rejection from Schengen states for visa has unfolded me a chance to fly for land of opportunities that is USA.My
journey for USA starts with little hope but ends up with bouquet of
achievements. It was surprising tour which has enhanced my capacity, vision,
skill and understanding to manage diversity.
I was one of 20
broadcast journalists from Pakistan who were selected for 10th group
of US Pakistan Journalism Professional exchange program for the month of June2014,co
managed by USEFP and International center
for Journalists (ICFJ) and funded by United States department of State.
Main observations in USA
- · Responsible Journalism with mature editorial Judgment of News
- · Strong organizational and management discipline
- · Proper investigative and follow up system.
- · Self reliance and Self-dependency
- · US has less racism as compare to other West, however it is still prevailed.
- · Good Civic sense in society.
We landed in Washington DC where we were briefed for four
days on Journalism Practices in USA from International center for Journalists
(ICFJ) and United States department. State
dept. also briefed us on Cultural Affairs
relating to public diplomacy and strategies. I foundsome similarities in
Islamabad and Washington DC, such as greenery and reflection of bureaucratic
norms. However found difference in discipline, rule of law and journalism
practices …
After taking initial briefing on Journalism in USA we were
sent to local community Radio and TV channels in the different states for three
weeks on internship.For this internship Program I was sent to Houston Public
Media(PBS TV Channel 8 ,FM 91.7 , FM88.7)at Houston, Texas. Public Houston
media is known for educational media like education reports, weather, traffic,
health and community related issues.In USA, broadcast channels and print media overall delivering
ten percent National and international
news and rest of the news is related to local or community issues.
Texas is second largest state after California by area andrelatively
conservative state, also home of two former Presidents of George W Bush Senior
and Junior. City of Houston is famous for NASA , best medical hospitals,
richest Pakistani’s,cowboy culture and warm weathers as well.
I observed selfreliance
or one man show that every employee of
the organization has to do scripting camera work, editing and even driving for his or her news report. This style is cost
effective indeedbut lacked in production quality. Furthermore, Ilearned the
very basic principle of Journalism that what to produce and to home to produce
by understanding your audience. Media ethics are very much concerned about any
type of print and broadcast productions in whole US.
American media and citizen are very much responsible about
their social values but how they learnedthis? I think this is only the civic sense,
what to broadcast and what not to broadcast in the national interest. By comparing both US and Pakistani media I
have my own analysis that US media is responsible with sensible editorial judgment
but Pakistani media is faster, technological advanced with poor sense of
editorial judgment without knowing your audience requirements …
Here I would like to mention religious harmony in Islamic mosques.
In the whole US there are more than
2100 mosques but I found mutual and religious harmony in the
Islamic mosques. There are some churches
that have been used for Muslims worship. Almost every sect and different schools
of thoughtoffered their prayer in same mosque and women are also in common to
offer prayer in their respective places in the mosques. This practice is not
common even in Muslims countries.
The civic sense and strong legislation have boost up the
Rule of Law in USA. Secondly self dependence’s also generate individual
capacity for work. When, I went to City Council
session of public hearing in Houston, I saw public officials as public
representative were explaining their duties in front of complainants. This
system provides easy and fast justice to the citizens. Although US citizens do
complain about price hike of goods specially Petrol, expensive Health and education,
racism and lack of job opportunities but easy justice quite appropriately
entertain these issues. Old citizen also used to idealize their good times up
to President Bill Clinton when the life standard of an average US citizen was
good and US wassafer than now.
In the nutshell over two hundred years of democratic
practices have assured the democratic norms values and rule of Law in the USA.
However we Pakistani still are awaiting for to strengthen democracy since the end of last military regime and holding hope that in alliance with media and judicial activism democracy will get
strong roots in this religious based society.
The main purpose of this program was to observe the US
Journalism and to exchange the cultural values of both the countries and I am
confident that I did it quite efficiently. I am also hopeful that the media
skills and time management whatI have
learned from US media organizations will enable me to implement it in my media
organization.
