Women Journalist Convention: another attempt to divide journalist community on gender basis

[Javeria Haqqi]

Dear all, The much hyped 2-day conference for woman journalists concluded today at National Press Club Islamabad and very sorry to say it is proved to be just another staged drama mocking none other than controversial Women Journalist Pakistan. Before peeping into the details of the scripted drama and main actors; I, being one of the participants, am disappointed to the core to see the lies wrapped in colorful phrases stuffed in our ears just like forced policing be it moral or otherwise. A quick peeping into the event’s mismanaged proceedings is enough to give you an idea why I am terming it a staged drama just to draw funds for own interests (in the long run) by Islamabad-based female journalists having NGOs beat. To start with is faking of non-Journalists as media persons by the people involved in the entire episode of this so-called “Two-day Conference on Gender Discrimination and capacity building of woman journalists”. Can any of event organizers share the presentations or any material on this journalist email forum in support of their claim? Although the women journalist list was unethically obtained from the SAFMA management, it is on record that hardly 20 woman journalists from across Pakistan had confirmed their arrival at the venue whereas the empty seats were filled by bringing ladies from NGOs, political parties (including Secretary Information of Women Wing, Pakistan Tahreek-Insaaf) posing them as women journalists. A huge group of headscarves and burqa-clad women including students and teachers of International Islamic University were brought to occupy the empty seats to give an impression that the entire hall is full of woman journalists attending all over the country and thus present the event as biggest gathering based on gender of the media persons. Good job, WJP !!! The first session was on “Sexual harassment of women” though all key speakers were absent and when at last one known face Nasim Zahra showed up, she tried her best to promote Dunya News channel by narrating how she expelled an employee (from lower staff) for ogling at a female anchor. Now one wonders if Dunya or she as a matter of fact was so vocal against sexual harassment then why she did not mention Maheen Usmani case ? why she supported the Yousaf Beg Mirza in his endeavors to sexually target Maheen Usmani? When a female participant tried to ask question on Maheen issue, smart moderator changed the topic. The most disorganized ever program it was with no functioning microphone available for the participants. One faulty microphone was being passed on to participants for questioning (which by the way never worked). The only well-organized thing was food aka lavish lunch as always in such programs as if we traveled all the way from Multan to Karachi to Peshawar to Lahore reaching NPC for filling the tummies ? A food for thought indeed. One embarrassing situation was witnessed by women journalists attending the event from outside Rawalpindi/Islamabad when after the lunch, some men at the entrances of the venue of conference passed on vulgar remarks on every woman journalists in typical desi filmi manner. "Wow, kyaa mast chokari hai. Pink color to bahut suit karta hai is ko..." blah blah. Female guest participants assumed them as staff members of National Press Club and thus ignored. Which to further utter shock came out as a prank played by Myra Imran and her groupies Saadia Khalid claiming “Those (LOFAR LAFANGEY) guys were actually hired by the women event organizers. We wanted you to know how sexual harassment feels". So-called leader of Women Journalist Forum revealed. Thank you ladies but for your kind information for you it might had been a fun to mock woman journalists who came from other cities but it was in such bad taste even for women like you. The Bureau Chiefs, editors, senior journalists of different media organizations were portrayed as perverts and womanizers in a skit written by Myra Imran and performed by professional theater actors wherein below the belt language was used. To be honest, I, being a lady journalist, never heard any of my bureau chiefs, editors or senior male colleagues using such language for us or demanding such physical relations in my whole career. Interestingly Myra Imran's spouse himself is a senior journalist while father of Saadia Khalid works on a very responsible post in a state-owned news agency. May be, WJP leaders wrote the drama script according to their home experiences. Though it was claimed that the event was not against male journalists but clearly it was conveying forming parallel women force dividing journalistic community and pitching against each other i.e Man Vs. Woman journalists. Thanks, Javeria Haqi Karachi

[Sana Saleem]

Javeria, 

Firstly,I am horrified to hear that women in the hall decided to ignore the hooliganism. The comments you have mentioned deserved to be reacted to, I am rather shocked as you mention "Female guest participants assumed them as staff members of National Press Club and thus ignored" Is it considered okay members of NPC to pass such comments?  Ins't ignoring harassment counter productive?

Let me just quickly point out that, while you make points about 'discrimination' and 'policing' it is rather strange that your 'complaint' is riddled with stereotypes which is nothing but ironic. I really do feel that you could have spared details such as 'Women in headscarves and Burqa Clad women,'  if your problem is they not being from journalism you can just say that and honestly that wouldn't make your point any less valid. Please also refrain from using words such as 'Lady Journalist' you are Journalist, reporter or editor. The term 'lady reporter' in itself sexist, why impose the need to mention gender when referring to a woman? certainly male reporter would sound rather obnoxious,no?

It's also very disappointing to see that a lot of people here seem to find no difference between criticism and passing derogatory remarks on ones family or personal life. Honestly, we can criticise someone's work, a conference, or a company without making sweeping remarks on ones personal life (for the record that's moral policing as well). 

While some of your points may be valid I am afraid the message is riddled with stereotypes and so has lost its purpose.

Best, 

Sana 

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http://blog.dawn.com/author/sana-saleem/
Global Voices: http://globalvoicesonline.org/author/sana-saleem/
Blog: http://sanasaleem.com

[qaswar abbas]

Sana, strongly agree with you. Let me make it very clear that the program was arranged by working journalists ( women or lady, it make no sense). The way they managed the things, speaks itself how professional journalist and good managers they are. Let us congratulate them. To be very honest, It was not a baby task to handle and take care of as many as 200 female journalists ( doesn't matter if Javaria thinks them fake). Organizers did a great job.   @@ Javeraia, plz be patient and suggest them how to make this kind of seminars productive and result oriented.   Regards, Kaswar Klasra --- On Sun, 4/17/11, Sana Saleem <sanasal...@gmail.com> wrote:

[sahir geo]

Kaswar Klasra was one of the hired males who were passing vulgar remarks on women guest participants to show them how sexual harassment feels practically. Thks.
***Sent from Mobilink Blackberry*** 

[Shami Lucky]

Good.

Husham
Waqt News.

*** BlackBerry Services from Mobilink ***

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From: qaswar abbas <kaswar...@yahoo.com>

Sender: pressp...@googlegroups.com

Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2011 14:51:39 -0700 (PDT)

To: <pressp...@googlegroups.com>

ReplyTo: pressp...@googlegroups.com

[sumr...@gmail.com]

J I completely agree with u, that's y I didn't take part in such FAZULIAT

Sumera

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from Warid.

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From: Javeria Haqqi <javer...@yahoo.com>

Sender: pressp...@googlegroups.com

Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2011 13:42:44 -0700 (PDT)

To: <pressp...@googlegroups.com>

ReplyTo: pressp...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Women Journalist Convention: another attempt to divide journalist community on gender basis

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[Vidya Rana]

Well, I am utterly against segregation. Women are competitors, not an isolated entity. Particularly, in journalism we need to excel as mainstream Journalist not as ‘LADY REPORTERS’. There has been a lot of discussion about the issues and problems faced by womenfolk happened to be journalists. Why don’t we talk about the skills we have. Journalism is yet to earn an identity as a serious profession. Some argue that journalism is an addiction and for some it is a passion. As long as we don’t consider it a profession the fight for rights would hang in the balance.

A journalist faces financial insecurity, job insecurity and on top of that life insecurity in some cases.

As for as the sexual harassment is concerned, we need to throw this term out from our dictionary. Being journalists, if we are unable to cope with this tiny issue then we are in the wrong profession. Another thing, if women from performing art can become parliamentarian in our neighboring countries; why some anchors are subject to condemnation just due to their affiliation with showbiz? BTW Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice would be appearing in a comedy TV play.

VR

[samina khan]

What is the problem if MQM hosts dinner at national press club or women journalists organize their convention there?
In future, do we need to obtain NOC from PRESS PAKISTAN to not make our activities controversial? WJP must be appreciated for this successful event in the entire history of NPC. Samina Khan, member WJP, Islamabad

Sent from my BlackBerry smartphone from Warid.

On Mon, Apr 18, 2011 at 1:42 AM, Javeria Haqqi <javer...@yahoo.com> wrote:

[sumr...@gmail.com]

Yes what harm in living in fool's paradise!!!!!

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from Warid.

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From: samina khan<samin...@journalist.com>

Sender: pressp...@googlegroups.com

Date: Mon, 18 Apr 2011 05:55:51 -0400

To: <pressp...@googlegroups.com>

ReplyTo: pressp...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: Women Journalist Convention: another attempt to divide journalist community on gender basis

[Tamkeen Zuberi]

They should hire the professional event managers specially  for the  seminar's venue operations rather  poking their noses into it that is how they can organize well operated event.

But the efforts are appreciated.


Regards

Tamkeen Zuberi

[Javeria Haqqi]

Correction: In my earlier email, I wrote father of Sadia Khalid is working at a senior position in a 'state-owned news agency'. One of colleagues of her father just sent me an email to inform that Ms Saadia Khalid's father was late Mr. Khalid Akhtar. My apologies for the mistake. Mr Khalid Akhtar was a very senior and very highly respected journalist who started his career somewhere back in mid-70s. Thanks, JH --- On Sun, 4/17/11, Javeria Haqqi <javer...@yahoo.com> wrote:

[Anwar Iqbal]

 

  I wonder how much you know about Khalid Akhtar but I have had the honour of working with him. He was a hardworking, honest journalist respected by all. Recently, a US district attorney of Pakistani origin (Khalid Kahloon) arranged a memorial service for him attended by all those who worked with Khalid Saheb at some stage in their careers. None of them -- except me -- is still in journalism. So they were under no obligation to do so. But they did pay glowing tributes to the man out of their love for him. So please be careful when you comment on people.

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From: Javeria Haqqi <javer...@yahoo.com>

To: pressp...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Mon, April 18, 2011 10:28:20 AM
Subject: Re: Women Journalist Convention: another attempt to divide journalist community on gender basis

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[Aijaz Ahmed]

I also had honour to work with a great journalist and equally great human being Khalid Akhtar Sb. I always remember hsi tips and support he provided to me whenever required.

 

aijaz ahmed

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From: Anwar Iqbal <anwariq...@yahoo.com>
To: pressp...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Mon, April 18, 2011 7:38:09 PM