The liberalization of the broadcasting and print media sector in Pakistan over the past two decades has led to an explosion in the number of circulating newspapers and magazines, with over 850 publications in circulation today. Historically this growth began in the main metropolitan centres, however the devolution of power to local governments across Pakistan has led to increased pressure on the media sector to mirror this change and provide support to district correspondents. At present this support is largely unavailable, with district correspondents often poorly educated, underpaid, and working in isolation. This project seeks to address this problem by training 180 rural journalists from local and national media organizations in basic journalism techniques and freedom of expression issues. It will include sessions on dealing with press freedom violations and abuses of Human Rights, resulting in the creation of a network of rural journalists to monitor and defend freedom of expression. Among the participants will be 45 trainers, who will proceed to replicate and deliver the content within their local communities, thus ensuring continuity and further expansion of the network. In attaining its goal, this project will build the capacities of local journalists and promote mutual understanding between local bodies and the media, therefore improving the quality of information available and raising awareness of rural issues.

OBJECTIVE: To provide capacity-building training to 180 Pakistani District Correspondents, in order to increase their proficiency in basic journalism techniques and freedom of expression issues, resulting in the creation of a network of rural journalists for the monitoring of press freedom violations and Human Rights abuses.