Editing podcast scripts at Quetta radio seminar

Balochistan region overcomes reputation
(QUETTA, BALOCHISTAN PROVINCE, PAKISTAN)—I always love coming to so-called “dangerous” places because my visits always confirm the fact that they really aren’t as bad as they’re portrayed to be. Lebanon and Ethiopia immediately come to mind.

When it comes to dangerous reputations, not many places exceed this region and city, situated only 120 miles from the Afghan border.

Google “Quetta Balochistan news” and you’ll get stories about an attack on a police academy, an attack on a church, the educational crisis, and so on. Google “Quetta Balochistan terrorism” and you’ll get more stories than Google can count.

Despite this, my impressions of this place are entirely positive. Yes, violence does occur here, but Balochistan is much more than just terrorist attacks.

I’m here working with radio journalists on script writing and podcasting on a project organized by the Global Neighborhood for Media Innovation, the U.S. Consulate-Karachi, and the East-West Center, which is lending my services as a trainer to the project. 

During this seminar, I led a discussion about peace journalism. One of PJ’s principles is to offer counternarratives to de bunk media generated and perpetuated stereotypes, myths, and misperceptions. This principle is obviously applicable to Balochistan, since 99% of the news about the region is negative, and spotlights only violence. Peace journalism practitioners would look to tell counternarrative stories about Balochistan—stories about business, education, commerce, athletes, etc., that give a more complete view of the people and region.

Balochistan journalists learn about podcasting

We also discussed the obstacles facing journalists here, including slow and unreliable internet. For journalists looking both to research and to disseminate stories, the lack of good internet complicates their job, which is complex enough to begin with given the security issues journalists face in the region.

One of the 23 participating journalists also asked about how to best report in a conflict zone. Taking care of their own security is most important, of course. After that, I said that sometimes the best we can do is to not make a bad situation worse by sensationalizing the violence, prematurely blaming this or that group for an attack, or creating even more hatred against the perpetrators or their ethnic group.

I admire these journalists for their resilience. Working here is difficult, yet they seem committed to upholding the best principles of the profession.

I look forward to my next visit to Quetta, and hope to have more time to explore the scenic beauty of this misunderstood place.