Islamabad, PK – 15 April, 2010 – The Board of Directors of Mishal (Pvt.) Limited appointed Amir Jahangir as the Chief Executive Officer to run the Mishal as the new source of media and communications solutions entity.

Mr. Jahangir has re-joined Mishal after he left it in August 2008, when he took over the charge of Jaag Broadcasting Systems (Pvt.) Limited, which runs SAMAA TV in Pakistan. Mr. Jahangir is the founder and was the Chief Strategy Officer for Mishal from 2003 to 2008.

During his association of more than 5 years with Mishal, Mr. Jahangir was able to position the company as the leading strategic communication and media solution provider in the country. He was able to successfully create a portfolio of clients which included; various projects of the United States Agency for International Development, the Competitiveness Support Fund, a joint initiative of USAID and the Government of Pakistan, Pakistan Initiative for Strategic Development and Competitiveness, ATCO Frontec, Canada for NATO’s work in the earthquake affected areas, Government of Pakistan with its core economic ministries and etc.

Mr. Jahangir during his association with SAMAA TV earned numerous awards and recognition for the organization. His initiatives of 1st Media Scholarship Programme with the Higher Education Commission and a National Inter-University Documentary Competition; “Cultivating Hope against Extremism; Empowering the Youth of Pakistan” earned him the honour of Young Global Leader for 2010 by the World Economic Forum in earlier this year.

Mr. Jahangir also successfully initiated the National Polio Control Cell to eradicate Polio from Pakistan, an initiative recognized at both national as well as international forums as a benchmark for constructive journalism to improve the healthcare delivery mechanism and empowering the citizens to demand their right for quality healthcare.

The initiative of Mr. Jahangir earned SAMAA TV the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Excellence Award in Concern for Health. This made Pakistan to be the 1st country in Asia to have a broadcaster to win such a prestigious award.

Mr. Jahangir has termed his new role at Mishal (Pvt.) Limited as a new incarnation for him to create value for the stakeholders by building the capacity of the media to report boldly, accurately and responsibly.

Karachi, PK – 8 April, 2010 – Amir Jahangir announced his resignation from JAAG Broadcasting Systems (Pvt.) Limited, which runs SAMAA TV today.

Mr. Jahangir announced his parting of ways from SAMAA as a step towards creating initiatives both at domestic as well as international level to improving the state of media in the ever changing media scene.

“I will be looking forward to my friends and peers in the industry to create opportunities both within and outside of Pakistan to improve the standards of media production, news reporting and the new role of media in the age of convergence”.

Amir Jahangir selected among the world’s Top 10 Media Professionals of the Year through public nomination.

Valencia, 20 April 2010– Amir Jahangir, one of Pakistan’s most promising media professionals marked history today by becoming the first Pakistani to be selected in the world top 10 media professionals of the year 2010. The announcement was made at the International Festival of Media in Valencia, Spain.

The Festival, now in its fourth year, comprised of a two day
conference with leading industry speakers, an exhibition of new media opportunities and a global awards ceremony showcasing the best creative media thinking and unrivalled networking opportunities.
This year, a new award, Media Professional of the Year for 2010 was also announced. This award was announced to celebrate the talents, skills and professionalism of an individual working in the global media industry in the previous 12 months. A shortlist was created through public nominations, which were sent in over the past 2 months from around the globe.

The people listed as the most popular nominees for this prestigious title were: Barry Cupples, CEO Asia Pacific, Omnicom Media Group, Maria Luisa Francoli, Global CEO, MPG Jack Klues, Managing Partner, VivaKi, Amir Jahangir, Former CEO, Samaa TV, Antonio Lucio, CMO, VISA, Tyler Moebius, CEO Adconion, Rani Raad, SVP Ad Sales, CNN International, Babs Rangaiah, VP Global Communications, Unilever and Mauricio Sabogal, WW Managing Director, Initiative

This year the award winning jury selected Jack Klues, Managing Partner of Vivaki as the Media Professional of the year 2010. The award was announced at the award gala dinner, which also included various other global awards for best practices in communication and media. More than 20 winning categories were announced including Best Communications Strategy, Best Targeted Campaign, Award for Media Bravery, Best Use of Content and the Best Use of Mobile.

Speaking on the nomination for media professional of the year award, Amir Jahangir said “It is a great honor to be nominated for this prestigious award, especially since this is a community driven nomination and carries the importance of public opinion. Pakistan, being a developing country and facing immense socio-economic and national security challenges, the role of media has become even more important. I believe Pakistani media needs to create content which is public driven and solution oriented, so that our people can see a better tomorrow in the times to come”.

Amir Jahangir said that the time has come to create a new media age in Pakistan, which does not base its business success on cash value only but also aims at creating social dividends.

Amir Jahangir has previously also received many national and international awards for his remarkable leadership in changing the paradigm of media in Pakistan. He has recently been honored as the Young Global Leader 2010 by the World Economic Forum for positioning the media as a watchdog on social challenges and for creating innovative communication models to address the prevailing socio-economic issues in Pakistan. Amir Jahangir was also selected as the Program Advisor to the Vinnova-Stanford Center for Innovation Journalism at the Stanford University on Global Media and Journalism in Pakistan.

The festival was attended by of all leading media and advertising professionals across the world, who annually meet to discuss the trends and challenges of the media industry and celebrate the media talent. The Festival of Media it’s an established fixture in the global media communications and advertising calendar. The people who attended the Festival were provided an essential opportunity to focus on the radical changes taking place in the communications business.

Amir Jahangir, who after completing almost 2 successful years as the Chief Executive Officer of SAMAA TV, Pakistan’s leading news channel, shared that he will now be taking up new challenges of media development in Pakistan. Speaking on his future role, Amir said that he will now be working on media development from a national perspective by carrying out capacity building initiatives for media professionals and benchmarking the industry with international standards. Amir said that his dream is to see Pakistani media professionals working side by side with international media professionals and make Pakistani media talent integrate into the international media scene – a dream which Amir says can be a reality very soon. He also shared that he will be creating initiatives for the media professionals and journalists, so that they can improve their work standards and content with international media standards and create a competitive and innovative media workforce from Pakistan.

The Festival of Media was launched in 2007 in Venice, as the world’s first global festival of media creativity. The Festival was launched in response to the beginning of a new advertising era and shaped in consultation with the industry. Each year the festival showcases creative and effective use of media, as well as media owner innovation. The Festival of Media Awards is a unique media event as it recognizes that media expertise no longer resides in a single location. Entrants for the awards come from a variety of organizations – from the obvious suspects like media agencies, full service agencies, specialist digital agencies and advertisers to unique outfits such as social network application developers, mobile agencies, content creators, production companies, rights holders, music and sports specialists. The agenda for the Festival continues to develop in consultation with the industry – ensuring that it both remains relevant to the core delegation and attracts a new audience, reflecting the new opportunities that are developing for creative, effective media communication.

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Among the various category nominations, SAMAA TV won 4 awards, when the Ministry of Health in partnership with UNICEF announced the winners of its 2nd National Media Awards 2010 at an award ceremony. The awards consisted of 19 different categories.

Pakistan’s leading private satellite news and current affairs television channel SAMAA TV came away with honors for Ms. Sharey Zariff, Karachi (Best Short Documentary on a Health issue); Hassan Nasir Khan, Islamabad (Best Coverage-Live Events) and Tariq Waheed, Peshawar (Best Report Electronic Urdu).

SAMAA TV made another landmark on its vision of integrating social development as its core business strategy by winning the Special Award for Television channel supporting health causes.

The award titled “Sehat ka Samaa” was received by Mr. Amir Jahangir, Chief Executive Officer of SAMAA TV.

Last year SAMAA also won the Special Award for Innovations in Health Journalism for its contribution and efforts towards the eradication of polio across Pakistan by creating the Polio Control Cell in Pakistan, which today is the National Polio Control Cell and has more than 15 media entities as partners.

The award ceremony was attended by prominent officials including Federal Minister for Health, Mr. Makhdoom Shahabuddin, Secretary Health, Mr. Khushnood Lashari, DG Health Dr. Rashid Jooma, Parliamentary Secretary for Health Ms. Mehreen Bhutto, WHO Representative Dr. Khalif Bile Mohamud, and Unicef’s Country Head Dr. Martin Mogwanja.

Addressing the award ceremony, which is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Health and Unicef, Mr. Shahabuddin termed the occasion as characterizing a “new culture, a new trend, and a new beginning.” He said he was personally overwhelmed by the rapid progress in health journalism in Pakistan, as well as improvement in the quality and content of reports that touch the lives of every household and individual”. He stated that special prizes would be announced next year for journalists focusing on rural health issues.”

A special posthumous award, along with some monetary support, was announced for Irfan Dar, a diligent health journalist, who died in a road accident on February 19, 2008. He was considered amongst the leading journalists for his exceptional qualities of head and heart. Dar’s shield was received by his wife, brother and sons.

Federal Minister for Health presented the awards for the 2nd National Health Media Awards 2010. The winning entries were selected by an independent jury consisting of leading journalists from across the industry. The Minister congratulated all the prizewinners and thanked them for their great dedication. At the occasion Mr. Ihtesham-ul-Haq, Director News SAMAA was presented a special award to honor the crucial role he played as a jury member and for making the entire selection process smooth. Other jury members consisted of Mr. Mohammad Malick, Editor the News, Islamabad and Mr. Aamer Ahmed Khan, Pakistan Editor of the BBC Urdu Service.

SAMAA TV is one of Pakistan’s leading private satellite television channels, which takes pride in its fair, factual and independent news coverage through its on-the-hour bulletins, breaking stories, incisive political analysis and current affairs programs. The channel is the first media channel is Pakistan to have established a well-integrated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program as part of it business activities. SAMAA TV’s CSR program carries various initiatives within health, education, environment and outreach programs focusing on improving the socio-economic situation of Pakistan.

The channel has also made a niche for itself through its programs on women and youth issues besides infotainment and sports. SAMAA TV, launched in December 2007 has network of district correspondents and five bureaus across Pakistan.

WWF awards SAMAA TV for supporting research in the field of conservation and environment.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Amir Jahangir, Chief Executive Officer, SAMAA TV said, “Environmental conservation is an issue that directly affects our generation and the next. It is therefore important that we do everything possible to not only create awareness about what we can do but also contribute with what needs to be done now. We are all responsible for what we will be handing over to our next generation; they should not say that we did not care about them.”

(live-PR.com) – Lahore, 29 March 2010— WWF – Pakistan today held its annual Syed Asad Ali Conservation Award (SAAC) and the Living Planet Award ceremony to honor and recognize organizations and individuals, who have carried out notable contributions to conserve wildlife and the natural resources of the country. SAMAA TV, one of Pakistan’s leading news channels was awarded the Conservation recognition

award in appreciation of being the only media channel in the region to show leadership in advancing environmental and conservation program through communication and public outreach.

The award distribution ceremony was held at the Ali Institute under the presence of leading representatives from the Government, civic society, environmental agencies, academia and the media.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Amir Jahangir, Chief Executive Officer, SAMAA TV said, “Environmental conservation is an issue that directly affects our generation and the next. It is therefore important that we do everything possible to not only create awareness about what we can do but also contribute with what needs to be done now. We are all responsible for what we will be handing over to our next generation; they should not say that we did not care about them.”

Mr. Jahangir appreciated WWF Pakistan’s initiatives to recognize the contributions within conservation of environment stating that environmental awards were an important mechanism to encourage business and society to meet the Pakistan’s sustainable development and environmental programs. “Award schemes can provide a very useful way of stimulating improved environmental performance by organizations and showcasing good examples of innovation and best practice – the media industry has to play a significant role to ensure Pakistan reaches the desired targets”, said Jahangir.

The special recognition award acknowledges SAMAA TV’s contribution to student’s research in field of conservation and environment and its role in engaging and shaping public response to environmental conversation program.

SAMAA TV is the first media channel in the Asian region to be offering scholarships for public university students pursuing master level degrees in environmental sciences. SAMAA is also launching structured thematic green media campaigns every month for people to participate in various initiatives such as ‘Say No to Plastic Bags’, ‘Earth Hour’, ‘Beach Cleaning’, ‘Plantation,’ and ‘Make Your Carbon and Water Foot Prints Small and Green’, all of which are designed to be visually appealing and environmentally informative.

While addressing the participants and audience of the ceremony, Mr. Ali Hassan Habib, Director General, WWF – Pakistan and Dr. Kauser Abdulla Malik, Chairman Scientific Committee expressed their compliments to the award recipients.

“This special environment recognition award has been awarded to SAMAA for its innovate initiatives on the subject of environment and more importantly for its commitment which is transparent when we look at the positive results, which have emerged from these initiatives – This has made SAMAA a deserving “Environment Champion” said Mr. Ali Hassan Habib,

The Syed Asad Ali Conservation (SAAC) Award is a tribute to Syed Asad Ali for his inspiring role in bringing forth the importance of conserving the environment for a better tomorrow.

In his concluding remarks, Amir Jahangir encouraged more organizations to seek recognition for their environmental performance. Mr. Jahangir said that media need to go beyond simple reporting and take up issues towards educating communities and create awareness for the well being of the society. He said that it was important to take a lead and get involved in this process.

This year, the SAAC Award was presented to Mr. Ayub Dablo, Asgher Ali Detho and Ashfaq Ahmed Ashufta for their efforts as conservationists in their respective areas. Ayub Dablo received this award for his contributions towards the plantation and conservation of mangroves over an area of more than 495 hectares in Keti bunder. Mr. Ashafaq Ahmad Ashufta was selected for SAAC Award for the continued efforts that he made to conserve the Kalij Pheasant with the involvement of local community in Jafferabad village of Abbottabad.

Society for Social Development and Conservation of Nature, Lasbella received the Living Planet Award for a Project to ensure the sustainable utilisation of fisheries resources with the involvement of local communities in Lasbella.

Certificate of appreciation were also presented to Mr. Samad Dawood, CEO of Dawood Corporation for donating an amount of Rupees 2.5 million to WWF – Pakistan and to Ms. Raina Saeed Khan upon receiving an Award at UN Summit on the article that she has written on Keti Bunder.

SAMAA TV’s commitment to being a socially responsible broadcaster has been widely appreciated on both national and international forums. It has been recognized as an innovator and leader for many initiatives and is the first media channel in Pakistan to have been honored with the Asian Corporate Social Responsibility Excellence Award 2009 for the Polio Control Cell stewardship. It is also the first media channel in Pakistan to have received the National CSR Excellence Award and also Pakistan’s first Innovation Journalism Health award from UNICEF and Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan.

SAMAA TV is one of Pakistan’s leading private satellite television channels, which takes pride in its fair, factual and independent news coverage through its on-the-hour bulletins, breaking stories, incisive political analysis and current affairs programs. The channel is the first media channel is Pakistan to have established a well-integrated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program as part of it business activities. SAMAA TV’s CSR program carries various initiatives within health, education, environment and outreach programs focusing on improving the socio-economic situation of Pakistan.

The channel has also made a niche for itself through its programs on women and youth issues besides infotainment and sports. SAMAA TV, launched in December 2007 has network of district correspondents and five bureaus across Pakistan along with international stringers in the Middle East, Europe and North America.

SAMAA TV holds event to create consensus on creating public driven content to motivate and educate the nation.

Karachi, 25 March 2010: SAMAA TV, one of Pakistan’s leading news channels hosted Pakistan’s first media bowling tournament, which was held to promote the important role of media in addressing the socio-economic issues of Pakistan. The tournament titled “The SAMAA Bowling Challenge” was held at the Arena Family Entertainment Center, where Pakistan’s leading Brands, Advertising & Media buying agencies took part in the event and competed for trophies and team events.

The first of its kind-bowling tournament brought more than 100 bowlers to the area. The eight-hour long event proved to be a huge success as 100 participants from 20 different teams took great interest in the matches and each match provided extreme excitement and kept the crowd involved.

Speaking on the occasion, Amir Jahangir, Chief Executive Officer of SAMAA TV said, ” We see that the common Pakistani is deprived of access to quality education, healthcare facilities, economic opportunities and gender equality. These challenges have been further burdened with the on-going war on terror in Pakistan. In search for answers and solutions to their uprooted lives, the public is turning to the Government as well as the media. This brings on a huge responsibility for our industry, as the previous communication environment in Pakistan has strongly ignored the emotions and well being of the public. We are here today to gather the leading communication houses and create consensus on integrating social justice into our organizational operations.”

Mr. Jahangir further added that the communication industry needs to position itself as the enabler and the catalyst for change. “We can only achieve corporate excellence by creating social dividend for the people of Pakistan, who are the most important stakeholders of our nation”, he said.

Mr. Fahd Haroon, Director Communications SAMAA TV shared that the event was a social gathering carrying a strong message for the industry – to create social value in content and educate the public for a better tomorrow. “This is a good way to bring all the industry under one roof and involve them in a healthy exercise, while sharing ideas and latest developments within the industry. We look forward to hosting more events like these to encourage unity and competition”, he concluded.

A series of strong performances were seen in the tournament. The final was played between Synergy Advertising and United Mobile. Synergy Advertising took the first prize and United Mobile ended as runners up. Aamir Ali, General Manager Sales and Danish Shervani, Senior Manager Product Manager of SAMAA TV distributed plaques and prizes amongst the winners. Prizes worth 100,000/- were distributed amongst the winner and runner up

Participants and guests from the media industry were entertained by exclusive hi-tea and various games like Ice skating, Bowling, Pool, Rock Climbing and Mini Golf etc.

After the great success of SAMAA BOWLING Challenge 2010, SAMAA plans to hold more events to bring together the leading marketers in the communication industry to discuss and carry out joint efforts to build the capacity of the industry market and bring value to society.

SAMAA TV is one of Pakistan’s leading private satellite television channels, which takes pride in its fair, factual and independent news coverage through its on-the-hour bulletins, breaking stories, incisive political analysis and current affairs programs. The channel is the first media channel in Pakistan to have established a well-integrated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program as part of it business activities. SAMAA TV’s CSR program carries various initiatives within health, education, environment and outreach programs focusing on improving the socio-economic situation of Pakistan.

The channel has also made a niche for itself through its programs on women and youth issues besides infotainment and sports. SAMAA TV, launched in December 2007 has network of district correspondents and five bureaus across Pakistan along with international stringers in the Middle East, Europe and North America.

International experts appreciate media’s role in Pakistan

The International Growth Center (IGC), an initiative by the UK Department of International Development today held its first consultative meeting in Pakistan. During the meeting, international experts laid out the vast and important role of media in Pakistan by claiming it to be one of the most important pillars in achieving sustainable and inclusive development in the country.

The meeting was held at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and was attended by leading members of the national and provincial assemblies, senior policymakers, civil society and media.

The distinguished list of participants also included Mr. Mark Henstridge, IGC UK, Ms. Shehnaz Wazir Ali, Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister, Mr. Khurram Dastagir Khan, MNA and Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Trade and Commerce and Mr. Amir Jahangir, CEO of SAMAA TV.

The meetings in Pakistan are being held to formulate a demand driven agenda for research and policy advice that contributes to the creation of sustainable and inclusive growth in Pakistan.

Speaking on the session of “Political institutions and Conflict”, Amir Jahangir, CEO SAMAA TV said that “Developing growth supporting political institutions is difficult for many countries but is especially challenging for Pakistan given the high levels of political violence plaguing the country. We as an industry need to realize the important responsibility which we carry towards our people. We are equal members of this society and equally responsible for its growth and success”.

Speaking on media responsibility, Amir Jahangir further added that “media should be creating content which results in guiding our political institutions in developing policies which will have long term benefits for the economy and the good will of our people. Policies made for the people is what will take our country forward”.

The IGC conference revolves around introducing the IGC Center and the Pakistan team to key stakeholders in Pakistan, prioritizing thematic components of the Pakistan program and discuss on IGC’s draft country program with the stakeholders.

Many of the leading policy experts attending the meeting highlighted that the links between poverty, democracy and conflict are commonly misunderstood and contradicted by rigorous data. During the discussion, the participants reinforced the need to identify avenues for research that can provide the required information and form policies which will reduce conflicts and minimize its negative impact on growth and development in Pakistan.

The IGC is directed and organized from hubs at the LSE and the University of Oxford and represents a collaborative venture to create an International Growth Network. The International Growth Network engages with policy makers, researchers and private sector and civil society representatives in the client countries seeking advice on growth.

Its structure reflects a belief that effective policies to promote growth require long-term country engagement that partners the best available generic knowledge from research with local knowledge relevant to the circumstances of the country in question. It also recognizes the need to engage with a range of actors on the ground – from government, civil society and the private sector – to be effective in influencing the climate of opinion that supports long-term policies.

SAMAA TV is one of Pakistan’s leading private satellite television channels, which takes pride in its fair, factual and independent news coverage through its on-the-hour bulletins, breaking stories, incisive political analysis and current affairs programs. The channel is the first media channel in Pakistan to have established a well-integrated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Program as part of it business activities. SAMAA TV’s CSR program carries various initiatives within health, education, environment and outreach programs focusing on improving the socio-economic situation of Pakistan.

The channel has also made a niche for itself through its programs on women and youth issues besides infotainment and sports. SAMAA TV, launched in December 2007 has network of district correspondents and five bureaus across Pakistan along with international stringers in the Middle East, Europe and North America.

World Economic Forum honors Amir Jahangir as Young Global Leader for 2010.

Islamabad, March 04: Drawn from a pool of almost 5,000 candidates across the world. The honour, bestowed each year by the World Economic Forum, recognizes and acknowledges up to 200 outstanding young leaders from around the world for their professional accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world.

This year, Amir Jahangir, Chief Executive Officer of SAMAA TV, Pakistan’s leading private news channels has been honored as one of the Young Global Leaders for 2010. Mr. Jahangir has been acknowledged for his profound leadership quality in promoting innovative media communication models addressing socio-economic issues and contributing to improving the lives of marginalized communities in Pakistan, thus improving the state of the world.

He is also one of the key media leaders, who have been working towards establishing a new media-age in Pakistan. This new media trend is based on responsible reporting, driven by innovation journalism techniques aimed at delivering solutions for sustaining socio-economic growth and improving Pakistan’s competitiveness.

Being one of the most inspiring media leaders in Pakistan, Mr. Jahangir has carried out many landmark initiatives to build Pakistan as a progressive nation. Some of the most applauded initiatives include health, education, curbing extremism and terrorism, and environment. Under the health, banner the Polio Control Cell, a joint initiative of SAMAA with UNICEF Pakistan, World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health, Government of Pakistan; the Polio Control Cell was launched in October 2008 as an innovative health communication model aimed at eradicating Polio in Pakistan. The model has now been adopted as the National Polio Control Cell by all leading public and private broadcasters and other private organizations and are actively engaged in providing 35 million children under the age of five the opportunity to a polio free future. The model has also been applauded by the Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation as a role model to be replicated in other epidemic countries.

Amir Jahangir has also carried out specific programs aimed at empowering the youth against extremism and terrorism and promote a better and secure future for the future generations.

“The World Economic Forum is a true multistakeholder community of global decision-makers in which the Young Global Leaders represent the voice for the future and the hopes of the next generation. The diversity of the YGL community and its commitment to shaping a better future through action-oriented initiatives of public interest is even more important at a time when the world is in need of new energy to solve intractable challenges,” said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Jahangir said “In today’s world, where our daily lives are faced by immense challenges, both economically and socially, the need for leadership has become even more pivotal. In a globalized world our country need leadership at all levels and sectors. We need people of all ages from all backgrounds to take advantage of the myriad of opportunities that exist to make a difference”

Jahangir further added that “We all possess the capacity for leadership, but only those who cultivate for the betterment of others will ever become truly effective leaders. Our country has a vast of young talent and we need to create opportunities for them to come forward and inspire others in striving towards excellence and making a difference for a world where we can all coexist in peace and harmony”

Drawn from a pool of almost 5,000 candidates, the Young Global Leaders 2010 were chosen by a selection committee, chaired by H.M. Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and comprised of eminent international media leaders.

The selection committee composed of the world’s top professionals and chaired by Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. This honor is bestowed by the World Economic Forum each year to recognize the most distinguished young leaders nominated below the age of 40 from around the world.

The selections were carried out after carefully screening the profiles of thousands young leaders from every region of the world and from a myriad of disciplines and sectors. Amir Jahangir’s selection was made in recognition of his record of professional accomplishments, his commitment to society and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world through his inspiring leadership.

Amir Jahangir will be joining The Forum of Young Global Leaders as an active community member. The YGL community forms a unique global network of peers from diverse backgrounds and fields, with a highly visible opportunity to significantly impact world affairs and shape the global agenda.

The 2010 honourees will become part of the broader Forum of Young Global Leaders community that currently comprises 660 outstanding individuals. The YGLs convene at an annual summit – this year it will be in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 2-7 May 2010, the first time in Africa and the largest ever gathering of YGLs – as well as at Forum events and meetings throughout the year.

The Forum of Young Global Leaders was established in 2004 by Professor Klaus Schwab, the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum. The Forum of Young Global Leaders is a unique, multi-stakeholder community of the world’s most extraordinary young leaders who dedicate a part of their time to jointly address global challenges and who are committed to devote part of their knowledge and energy to collectively work towards a better future.

Together the Young Global Leaders work to discover innovative solutions to today’s most pressing problems through various initiatives and work streams as well as catalyzing the next generation of leaders.

Every year the Young Global Leaders participate in Annual Summits where approximately 200 YGLs from around the globe meet to learn with each other and from each other within a global network of peers. The Forum of YGL organizes regular events throughout the year including the YGL Summits, which provide an opportunity for fellow YGLs to meet, share ideas and discuss ways to collectively shape the future.

The Kennedy School Leadership and Public Policy for the 21st Century Module provides a convening opportunity for the YGLs to gain critical skills and knowledge in key issue areas as well as leadership skills. This year the 2010 YGL Annual Summit will take place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 2-7 May.

The World Economic Forum was founded in 1971 in Geneva, Switzerland as an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

Amir Jahangir’s Inititative Promotes Cutting Edge Global Innovation Journalism

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Stanford University’s David Nordfors (left) confers with innovation journalism fellows from Pakistan, Mexico, Slovenia and Finland.

New York — Fairness, honesty, accuracy. In societies with a free press, these qualities long have stood as the tenets of good journalism. The public turns to the media for reliable information and insight, resources people employ in deciding how to live their lives.

According to those practicing an emerging style of reporting — innovation journalism — truth and thoroughness remain supreme, but stories must reach their audiences through filters that are different from the traditional ones. Experts argue today’s world is driven by a fusion of politics, business, technology, science and culture, while many newsrooms continue to divide the topics into separate beats. The new innovation-journalism beat takes a different approach, removing the old topics from their silos and blending them to inform audiences accurately of the driving force behind a changing globe: innovation.

The idea is also driving a series of partnerships between the United States and Pakistan to promote innovation journalism in Pakistan. Stanford University’s Vinnova-Stanford Research Center of Innovation Journalism (InJo Center) collaborates with Pakistani journalists to deliver frontline innovation journalism and further the method’s expansion into mainstream media in South and Central Asia, the United States and around the world. Pakistani journalists also receive assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to study innovation journalism in the United States.

Innovation journalism fellows from Pakistan join others at the 2009 innovation journalism conference hosted by Stanford University.

“The accelerating rate of innovation is not only in information technology, it’s everything: health care, transportation, housing, agriculture, food, music — almost every aspect of life and society,” said David Nordfors, InJo Center founding executive director. “The innovation economy is changing the ways we organize our lives.”

“Innovation journalists must be smarter than beat journalists because they need the intellectual bandwidth to cover a much wider and deeper pool of knowledge and information,” Nordfors said, explaining that innovation encompasses all aspects of a new product or idea reaching the public and the impact the development has on its recipients.

One partnership between the InJo Center and Pakistani television station SAMAA TV produced an award-winning program, Innovation, which increased public awareness of local issues of innovative development in Pakistan. The show covered topics ranging from alternative energy to mobile banking and other initiatives under way that aim to “improve the lives of the ordinary people,” said Fatima Akhtar, Innovation producer and anchor. Akhtar added that the production reached both urban and rural Pakistani audiences.

The Innovation series was named “Brand of the Year 2009,” surpassing more than 500 competitors from various industries in a nationwide consumer survey conducted in Pakistan and an expert panel analysis.

In an e-mail interview with America.gov, Amir Jahangir, chief executive officer of SAMAA TV and creator of Innovation, explained the show’s broad appeal and influence. It targeted “the masses for identifying the issues, the government for legislation and to develop public policy to foster innovation, [and] academia to increase the importance of innovation in the thought process of the future social and corporate leaders.” The program engaged business leaders in an effort to encourage the adoption of new technologies and business models as well, he said.

Jahangir credited Innovation’s success, in part, to the contribution of InJo Center fellows from around the world. The fellows advised on program content, shared research and provided commentary on the innovation processes covered in the show.

In a press release, Jahangir elaborated on the partnership: “Due to this collaboration, the content of our program has been acknowledged as being credible, containing relevant issues and making efforts in bringing together the relevant stakeholders of each industry to find innovative measures to cater [to] the society[‘s] needs,” his statement said.

Nordfors views SAMAA TV’s integration of international journalists into the Pakistani production as a prime example of the power of innovation journalism to effectively report on the global economy. He calls these networks among journalists from different countries “innovation journalism’s true synergy.” To explain, Nordfors suggested the prospect of the Finnish telecommunications company Nokia opening a new research and development facility in South Central Asia.

“If there are good networks between Finnish innovation journalists, South Central Asian innovation journalists and innovation journalists in [California’s] Silicon Valley, they can contact each other and compare notes, and will all be closer to seeing the bigger picture. This will give much better news coverage in all countries involved,” he said.

The better news coverage provided through the innovation-journalism approach is crucial to the success of emerging economies like Pakistan’s and those of other South Central Asian countries, according to Nordfors.

“Good innovation journalism in developing economies connects the dots, linking the innovation economy with public decisionmaking, mediating public understanding and discussion. That will drive innovation; there will be more stories for innovation journalism to cover; public engagement will increase,” he said. “It is a feedback loop driving innovation and public enlightenment.”

Arif Allauddin, chief executive officer of Pakistan’s Alternative Energy Development Board, also recognized innovation journalism’s contribution to formulating solutions to issues Pakistan faces, including the challenges of providing quality education, health care, and employment opportunities for youth, as well as ensuring adequate energy supplies. He said in a press release that the Innovation program, for the first time, familiarized Pakistanis with initiatives at work in other countries on which Pakistanis could model their own solutions to problems.

To facilitate the continued expansion of innovation journalism in Pakistan and throughout the world, the InJo Center welcomes a new group of fellows each year. Each group includes four Pakistani journalists, who receive USAID funding to visit for five months. Fellows attend innovation-journalism workshops and conferences at Stanford and partner with U.S. newsrooms throughout the country that are covering innovation issues. In addition to receiving training in the new form of reporting, fellows build contacts in the United States and share their own expertise with their host institutions to help enrich American journalism.

“The contact between the hosting newsrooms and fellows is very positive,” Nordfors said. “You don’t often find journalists from other countries in American newsrooms. It adds a sharing perspective and gives contact between journalists that is direct and collegial.”

SAMAA TV’s Akhtar is among the 2010 InJo Center fellows. She feels her experience so far has helped her “understand the process of innovation from different standpoints,” knowledge she considers “extremely useful” for her return to Pakistan, where she says she will apply her new skills in her journalism.

In addition to the Pakistani fellows, the InJo Center currently hosts journalists from Sweden, Finland, Slovenia and Mexico. As practitioners and students of innovation journalism, the fellows and their colleagues represent what some see as the future of the media. Innovator and InJo Center adviser Vint Cerf, vice president and chief Internet evangelist at the search engine company Google, recognizes innovation journalism as not only progressive but crucial to a democratic society.

“High-quality journalism lies at the core of democracy,” he said in an e-mail interview. “Innovation journalism seeks to explore ways in which the journalism profession can thrive in a 21st century, online environment. New business models and new delivery channels are needed if this essential function is to be preserved in the democracies of the modern world.”

SAMAA TV and WWF Join Together to Strengthen National Accountability for Environmental Conservation

By Carolyn J Dawson
TMCnet Contributor

SAMAA TV and the World Wide Fund for Nature Pakistan have launched an innovative nation-wide partnership at WWF Pakistan’s Wetlands Centre, which is located in Kakapir Village near Sandspit. The partnership intends to develop public awareness on pressing environment issues, bringing forth the collective and individual responsibility for nurturing the natural resources and associated biodiversity in the country.

SAMAA TV, Pakistan’s leading private satellite news television channel is the first of its kind in Pakistan to create a well-integrated Corporate Social Responsibility program as part of it business activities. SAMAA TV’sCSR ( News – Alert) program carries various initiatives on health, education, environment issues and outreach programs specially focusing on the socio-economic situation in Pakistan. WWF is one of the World’s largest, renowned and recognized conservation organizations and has been working in Pakistan for close to 40 years to conserve nature and ecological processes .WWF Pakistan is physically present in 28 different locations across the Pakistan.

The MoU with SAMAA TV and WWF Pakistan was jointly signed by Dr. Ghulam Akbar, Regional Director WWF and Mr. Amir Jahangir, Chief Executive Officer of SAMAA TV. The main platform for this MoU is going to be a creative and information based program called the “Conservation Minute,” which will be a one-minute environment-related message telecast every day to be jointly developed by SAMAA TV and the WWF. Some of the other ideas include airing of documentaries, along with related talk shows and panel discussions during regularly scheduled airtime and on significant International Environmental Days.

As part of a mutual information gathering, news sharing and capacity building component of this alliance, WWF Pakistan will involve SAMAA TV reporters and production teams in exposure visits, assist them with aspects of environmental reporting and nature photography while SAMAA TV will involve WWF staff in their environmental reporting activities and update and involve them in fast-breaking environmental news events.

Referring to the Copenhagen Climate Conference 2009 Mr Jahangir stated that the conference was an example of how strategic resources needed to be put in place and monitored to make the world a better place and remain accountable for our deeds. He also emphasized that they were committed to improve the state of the world by making a difference by not just making the public but also ourselves responsible for nurturing and preserving the environment.

The main aspects of the partnership include five scholarships for public university students for masters in environmental sciences in consultation with scientific research department of WWF Pakistan; launching media campaigns and initiatives like “Say No to Plastic Bags,” “Earth Hour,” “Beach Cleaning,” etc. SAMAA has also decided to keep a dedicated journalist beat on environment so the content developed is based on research and facts co-aligned with international practices from across the world.

Carolyn John is a Contributor to TMCnet. To read more of her articles, please columnist page.

Edited by Erin Harrison