MARDAN (By: Shahid Ali Tareen): A four-day training workshop was organized in a private hotel in Mardan, in collaboration with Individualland, UNODC, the European Union, NACTA, and Municipal Corporation Mardan. The workshop was attended by local journalists and focused on political, social, sexual, and economic violence, analyzing the factors that drive youth towards violent extremist organizations.
Experts highlighted that injustice, misuse of resources, nepotism, unemployment, the spread of false information, and the debasement of merit are the main factors leading to youth disillusionment and extremism. They explained that extremist organizations target youth whose grievances are being ignored. In contrast, promoting dialogue and discussion was emphasized as essential for building a peaceful society.
Trainer Saifullah Khoso provided journalists with practical exercises in media literacy and fact-checking, while Mashhood Ali conducted training on the causes of violence, gender-based violence, and digital campaign designing.
At the end of the workshop, participants submitted their digital campaign ideas. Miss Khadija also spoke on the topic of mental health for journalists, and Ijaz Ghafoor efficiently managed the various training sessions.
Support Allah Mayar, Mayor of Mardan, addressed the participants at the conclusion of the program. He emphasized that tolerance is the foundation of a peaceful society and that Mardan is historically known for inter-religious harmony.
The workshop proved to be a valuable experience for journalists, allowing them to brainstorm new strategies to use digital media positively and counter violent extremism.