ISLAMABAD, 5th March – The breaking news of the attack on the Sri Lankan Cricket team on Tuesday, March 3, 2009, which resulted in the killing of 8 people including 6 security personnel was yet another incident, underscoring the need of proper security-gear and training for the journalists covering such events.

SAMAA TV not only was the first to break the news of the assault on Sri Lankan team, but remained the only channel which provided live coverage of the deadly shooting. SAMAA team members acted with great courage and professionalism and managed to tell the story to the world as it unfolded.

Such incidents, however, continue to underline the critical security threat faced by the media personnel and organizations operating in Pakistan.

Mr. Amir Jahangir, SAMAA’s Chief Executive Officer, has condemned the atrocious attack on the Sri Lankan Team and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of valuable human lives.

“I am proud of my news team members, who kept their calm despite the dangerous situation and provided an excellent live coverage of this unfortunate incident,” Mr. Jahangir said.

Habib Akram, SAMAA’s Lahore Bureau Chief, was present at the scene along with his reporter Aiman Mufti and two cameramen - Ali Mujtaba and Liaqut Ali.

Mr. Jahangir said that at SAMAA, security of journalists remains top priority. “SAMAA has provided all its staff members health and insurance cover and now initiating steps for the training of reporters and cameramen on how to operate in the hostile environment and dangerous...

ISLAMABAD, 5th March – The breaking news of the attack on the Sri Lankan Cricket team on Tuesday, March 3, 2009, which resulted in the killing of 8 people including 6 security personnel was yet another incident, underscoring the need of proper security-gear and training for the journalists covering such events.

SAMAA TV not only was the first to break the news of the assault on Sri Lankan team, but remained the only channel which provided live coverage of the deadly shooting. SAMAA team members acted with great courage and professionalism and managed to tell the story to the world as it unfolded.

Such incidents, however, continue to underline the critical security threat faced by the media personnel and organizations operating in Pakistan.

Mr. Amir Jahangir, SAMAA’s Chief Executive Officer, has condemned the atrocious attack on the Sri Lankan Team and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of valuable human lives.

“I am proud of my news team members, who kept their calm despite the dangerous situation and provided an excellent live coverage of this unfortunate incident,” Mr. Jahangir said.

Habib Akram, SAMAA’s Lahore Bureau Chief, was present at the scene along with his reporter Aiman Mufti and two cameramen - Ali Mujtaba and Liaqut Ali.

Mr. Jahangir said that at SAMAA, security of journalists remains top priority. “SAMAA has provided all its staff members health and insurance cover and now initiating steps for the training of reporters and cameramen on how to operate in the hostile environment and dangerous...

ISLAMABAD, 2nd December – The socio-economic indicators for a sustainable economic growth include a just society for all, regardless of race, religion or disability. This was the message, which was conveyed at a special event held in observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons, which is being observed worldwide on 3rd December 2008.

The event was organized by the Special Talent Exchange Programme (STEP) in joint collaboration with SAMAA TV, one of the leading Urdu news channels in Pakistan and SightSavers International, who both have joined hands with STEP to promote the issues of disability in Pakistan and the human rights of people with disabilities.

The event was attended by leading representatives from the Government with Minister for Social Welfare & Special Education, Samina Khalid Ghurki as the chief guest. Over 350 participants - 250 of them disabled people - attended the ceremony, which was held at the auditorium of Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

Atif Sheikh, president of STEP said that “Eighty percent of the persons with disabilities - more than 400 million people - live in poor countries, which reinforce the strong link between disability and poverty. We need to jointly work towards improving the life conditions for disabled people and give them the respect and dignity they deserve.

He further added that “Dignity and justice for all of us is the theme of this year’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities, as well as for the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human...

ISLAMABAD, 2nd December – The socio-economic indicators for a sustainable economic growth include a just society for all, regardless of race, religion or disability. This was the message, which was conveyed at a special event held in observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons, which is being observed worldwide on 3rd December 2008.

The event was organized by the Special Talent Exchange Programme (STEP) in joint collaboration with SAMAA TV, one of the leading Urdu news channels in Pakistan and SightSavers International, who both have joined hands with STEP to promote the issues of disability in Pakistan and the human rights of people with disabilities.

The event was attended by leading representatives from the Government with Minister for Social Welfare & Special Education, Samina Khalid Ghurki as the chief guest. Over 350 participants - 250 of them disabled people - attended the ceremony, which was held at the auditorium of Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

Atif Sheikh, president of STEP said that “Eighty percent of the persons with disabilities - more than 400 million people - live in poor countries, which reinforce the strong link between disability and poverty. We need to jointly work towards improving the life conditions for disabled people and give them the respect and dignity they deserve.

He further added that “Dignity and justice for all of us is the theme of this year’s International Day for Persons with Disabilities, as well as for the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human...