PAN holds workshops on civic journalism

KABUL) arranged more workshops on Tuesday on civic journalism in some provinces to create awareness about fraud, irregularities and rigging attempts in elections.

The workshops — attended by scores of people — took place in PAN’s provincial offices. In southern Kandahar province, at least 35 youth, including 10 females, from Arghandab, Dand, Daman and Spin Boldak districts participated in the event.

The participants were taught how to report rigging or fraud to PAN.

Basher Ahmad Naadem, PAN’s correspondent in Kandahar, told the workshop the initiative was aimed at ensuring transparency in the elections and everyone should take part in this national cause.

Fazal Ahmad Anis, a journalist who attended the workshop, lauded the PAN’s initiative. He hailed Pajhwok as the leading news organisation covering hot topics.

He added election observers would discharge their duties to ensure transparency in the polls but the step taken by Pajhwok would go a long way in monitoring the democratic exercise.

Marina, another attendee, said the initiative would prove the best forum to share irregularities in the elections.  Similar workshops have been held in Paktia, Balkh, Nangarhar, Ghazni, Bamyan and Herat provinces.

PAN has also launched an independent and neutral webpage (www.afghansvote.af) to encourage people’s participation in the landmark presidential and provincial council elections and report attempts at manipulation.

The site offers all people the opportunity to share their reports, articles, photos, ideas and videos about the polls. Via social media, the news agency aims to enable people to share information regarding the ballot.

One key objective is to give due coverage to popular perceptions about the democratic exercise, rigging, fraud and other anomalies in far-flung areas. PAN seeks to evolve a credible mechanism for forging coordination among election monitors and observers.

Pajhwok also intends to establish an online information centre for international monitors and researchers.

In addition, PAN had launched (www.afghansvote.af) webpage to facilitate masses with regard of elections’ activities in the country.

The participants were briefed about Pajhwok initiative of creating “Afghans vote” page on facebook in a move to facilitate locals to during the elections process.

rm/mud

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