The Rural Media Network of Pakistan is publishing the newsletter with technical assistance from UNESCO's International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) and the Nawa-i-Ahmedpur Sharqia newspaper. The Urdu-language newsletter includes information on press freedom violations, ethics, training, and other things of interest to rural journalists.

At a December 20 inaugural event to celebrate the launch, Environmental Minister Malik Mohd Amin Aslam Khan pledged support for a training workshop on environmental reporting for rural journalists. Nawab Salahuddin Abbasi, the emir of Bahawalpur, also promised to fund an annual press freedom award to be organized by Sadiq News.

Among other things, the Sadiq News collects information from the Rural Media Network, the National Press Union, and local reporters on press freedom violations in remote areas. The newsletter also is a tool to help rural journalists learn about their rights and network with colleagues.

For more information, contact Ehsan Ahmed Sehar, convenor of the Rural Media Network and chief editor of Nawa-i-Ahmedpur Sharqia, at ehsan.sehar@gmail.com or ehsanshr@hotmail.com. Or write to Rural Media Network, Press Chambers, Opposite Canal Rest House, Katchery Road, AhmedpurEast, District Bahalwalpur, Pakistan.