KARACHI, Sept 11: Speakers at a workshop on Thursday stressed the need for sensitizing the media about development issues.

They were speaking at the concluding session of the international workshop on culture for change, organized by a non- governmental organization, Actionaid.

Writers, poets, social activists and delegates from eight countries participated in the workshop.

They said that instead of getting non-media people to write news-stories and produce theme-based films, efforts should be made to liaise with those already associated with the media.

They said the stuff produced by professionals was better and conveyed messages in a smooth manner. They added that the stuff produced by professionals was commercially viable.

They said the media would also be able to influence decision- makers about development issues.

They suggested that bigger international NGOs should jointly launch a television channel which, by providing smaller and regional NGOs a platform, could disseminate information about development issues.

They added that for the time being NGOs could purchase airtime of local television channels to spread their message. They said local cable operators could also be persuaded to relay programmes produced by NGOs.

They said that efforts be made to ensure that programmes made for television and radio were not cliched and strengthened the stereotype role models of society.

They stressed that emotions were not misused while making these programmes, because some commercial organizations were doing that to promote their products.

The workshop had two components. The participants attended meetings during the day, and cultural shows — story-telling, interactive theatre, video shows, music — were held in the evening so that the overseas participants could show the culture of their countries.

Dr Fauzia Saeed, Khalid Ahmad, Munoo Bhai, Kishwar Naheed, Samina Ahmad and others spoke on the occasion. Afsheen Qambarani recited Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s poetry.

Foreign delegates participating in the workshop are Sarah de Nodwall and Alice W. Wilson (from the United Kingdom); Isaiah Kyengo (Kenya); Masud Takhi, Mohammad Hameed and Fazil Ali (Afghanistan); Ginbowgish Kebede and Dejenc Minilku (Ethiopia); K.Z. Islam, Akber Reza and S.M. Monjur Rashid (Bangladesh); Shibesh C. Regmi, Archana Aryal, Badri Prasad Khanal and Suresh Chandra Pokhrel (Nepal); Rita Akoto Coker (Ghana); and Surappasamy Parasuraman (Indian, but based in Thailand).