Hyderabad: There is a strong need to bridge the gap between the priorities of contemporary journalism and the
health issues plaguing the society.
Public Universities run by Government funding are supposed to meet the public interest. That is the reason Maulana Azad National Urdu University is hosting training programme for journalists by UNICEF.
Dr. M A Sikandar, Registrar, MANUU expressed these views today (August 30) while inaugurating a two-day Critical Appraisal Skills (CAS) training programme on Public Health reporting. An eminent journalist, Mr. Pankaj Pachauri described the training programme for Urdu journalist as need of the hour.
Television is devoting only 1% of coverage whereas print media gives only 3% space to health related issues, he revealed. Health sector is going to become a profitable business in the future. It is better that the owners of media outlets give attention towards health journalism by grooming expert journalists.
Prof. Ehtesham Ahmed Khan, HoD and Dean School of MCJ, welcomed the gathering and expressed the hope to continue cooperation with UNICEF.
Ms. Sonia Sarkar, Communication Officer, UNICEF while addressing the inaugural session said that the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund is working in 190 countries across the world on health related issues.
The world body feels the importance of media in attaining public health goals. Eminent journalist, Mr. Sanjay Abhigyan also spoke on the ocassion.
Two day workshop is being attended by Urdu working journalists from Hyderabad and Delhi beside the journalism faculty from MANUU.