Faiza Gillani, a distinguished journalist from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), embarked on her professional journey seven years ago as a correspondent for Daily Country News. She was the first female journalist from AJK to join Hum News as a correspondent in Muzaffarabad. As a freelance journalist, she currently contributes to Deutsche Welle DW Urdu. Gillani has earned accolades for her exemplary journalism, including the Best Story Award in a fellowship by IBA-CEJ Karachi and the US Consulate Karachi, with a focus on peace and conflict reporting. She has been honored with the National Media Fellowship award and has received acclaim by CEJ-IBA and the UNFPA for her coverage on gender-based violence.  

She participated in the peace and conflict reporting workshop in Thailand hosted by KIIR and Conciliation Resources and the South Asia Media Training Program (SAMED) in Istanbul. Her commitment to investigative journalism is evidenced by her participation in the Investigative Reporting Fellowship sponsored by the Pakistan Press Foundation and her receipt of the Youth Ambassador Award from USAID. Her investigative reports on critical human rights issues highlight her unwavering dedication, exemplary journalistic prowess, and steadfast commitment to advancing social justice issues through her work. 

IVLP Impact Award Project: Truth Matters: Empowering Journalist Through Digital Storytelling and Fact-Checking

Faiza's project addresses the complex challenges faced by journalists in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), particularly amid the region's disputed status and ongoing conflict. Through a comprehensive three-day workshop in Muzaffarabad, the project is designed to enhance the skills and capabilities of 20 journalists, including female and citizen journalists, with two representatives from each district of AJK.  

The workshop will provide participants with essential skills in ethical reporting and narrative writing through hands-on training sessions and mentoring opportunities. Participants will be guided through the production of journalistic pieces, ensuring the practical application of newly acquired skills and the dissemination of responsible reporting to the public. The training will promote accurate and nuanced reporting in AJK, emphasizing the use of journalistic tools and sources to combat misinformation and prioritize journalist safety. By enhancing the professional capabilities of journalists, the project benefits both journalists and the communities they serve, fostering informed and engaged societies in the region. 

So far, Faiza has recruited and selected 15 Kashmiri journalists and 5 from other regions for her three-workshop series focused on investigative journalistic techniques, fact checking and journalist safety. The project will culminate in support from mentors to develop, edit and submit pieces for publication. Faiza shared, “I’ve received encouraging feedback from participants, which has helped me refine the focus on critical areas like fact-checking and combating misinformation effectively.”

"Kashmir is a region marred by conflict, where the practice of journalism is uniquely arduous. The opportunity presented by IVLP is of immense value. Despite encountering local obstacles attributed to limited resources, the IVLP [Impact Award] project now serves as a tangible pathway towards achieving my aspiration of strengthening journalistic capabilities within my community.” - Faiza Gillani   

IVLP Exchange Experience  

Faiza participated in the IVLP Project: Strengthening Investigative Journalism in Pakistan: Media Security and Freedom of Information, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center in partnership with Citizen Diplomacy Alliance, Global Ties Arizona, World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, World Affairs Council of St. Louis and World Partnerships Inc.  

Faiza’s exchange experience led to the development of her project, which focuses on expanding the skills and capabilities of local journalists. “Attending [the] session on fact-checking and misinformation and how to counter it led by Alanna Dvorak, an International Training Manager at The International Fact-Checking Network at the Poynter Institute, left a lasting impact on me. I'll share [this] knowledge and experience with the journalist[s] during training sessions in Muzaffarabad. The challenge of combating misinformation is considerable in Pakistan, where journalists often face consequences due to insufficient skills and training in fact-checking. During my visit, Alanna ... assured me of her expertise in this domain, and I am grateful for her willingness to offer assistance.” 

U.S. Communities Visited 

Phoenix, AZ; Tuscon, AZ; Washington, DC; St. Petersburg, FL; St. Louis, MO; Philadelphia, PA

“My IVLP journey was a transformative experience, igniting my passion for press freedom and equipping me with invaluable skills to champion credible journalism in my conflict-stricken homeland. My IVLP experience...inspired me deeply. Despite initial doubts about applying these skills in my region due to limited resources, my IVLP project offers a chance to realize my dream of enhancing journalistic capacity in my community.” - Faiza Gillani 

Country: Pakistan 

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