5 Kashmiri Journalists Join MHA’s National Security Journalism Workshop in Gujarat

Ahmedabad, Jul 27: Five journalists from Jammu and Kashmir are among a select group of journalists participating in a capacity-building programme on National Security Journalism that commenced here in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad on Monday.

The 11-day residential initiative, being held at the Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) in Gandhinagar under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs, will continue till August 6.

The programme aims to equip journalists with the skills to report on sensitive security issues with accuracy, responsibility, and strategic understanding.

 

The participants from Kashmir including  Muneeb ul Haq, Sheikh Saleem, Syed Rizwan Geelani, Suhail Khan and Waris Fayaz.

According to organisers, the inaugural day comprised three sessions during which experts deliberated on the broader perspective of national security journalism and its relevance for reporters covering conflict-prone and sensitive regions.

The discussions largely centred on the role of the media in addressing contemporary national security challenges, with a particular focus on issues pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking during the inaugural session, Pro Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Kalpesh H. Wandra said the programme aims to develop journalists capable of reporting on India’s national security with accuracy, responsibility, and strategic understanding.

He said the programme combines expert-led sessions, interactions with practitioners, case-based learning, practical reporting tools, and structured field exposure to strengthen journalists’ understanding of security-related issues.

He said the training will focus on reporting related to defence, internal security, terrorism, border management, coastal security, cyber incidents, public order, disasters, critical infrastructure, and other national security concerns.

Dr. Jasbir Kaur Thadhani (Dean Academic, RRU) welcomed all the journalists to this workshop. She said that during the visit, participants will visit key national security institutions to gain first-hand operational exposure.

She emphasised that national security reporting has become increasingly significant in the digital age, where media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception during security events.

Dr. Jasbir noted that the rapid growth of digital platforms has also accelerated the spread of misinformation and hostile narratives, making responsible journalism more essential than ever.

She said the programme seeks to equip journalists with the domain knowledge, contextual understanding, and verification skills required to report security issues accurately, responsibly, and in a manner that strengthens democratic discourse.