HYDERABAD, June 19 The Sindhi Language Authority chairperson Dr Fehmida Hussain has said that through investigative reporting, media is acting like a watchdog and helps eradicate social evils.

She said at a workshop on “Investigative reporting and effective communication skills” organised by the Centre for Rural Development Communication (CRDC) of the University of Sindh at the Sindhi Language Authority on Thursday, that media had to play a very important role in the development of the country.

She said that the reporters and columnists were soldiers of national ideology and they must work hard in the interest of the nation.

Speaking as chief guest, regional director of information government of Sindh, Imdad Ali Keerio, said that his department had offered the Mass Communication Department of the University of Sindh to launch three-month diploma course in practical journalism.

He said that he had recommended to the authority concerned to introduce journalism subjects in the degree course at each college to meet growing needs of print and electronic media.

Mr Keerio said that training infrastructure in journalism failed to keep pace with mushroom growth of print and electronic media and led to a vast gap between demand and supply.

The gap could be filled through short-term and long-term strategy both by private and public sector, he said.

Assistant professor CRDC Suresh Makhijani said that the Centre for Rural Development Communication and the Department of Mass Communication were working for capacity building of journalists through theoretical and practical education.

Noted journalist Sohail Sangi delivered lecture on investigative reporting. Abdul Razzaq Chhachhar and Ms Zainab Soomro also delivered lectures.