Friday, March 29, 2024
 
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Shahana Butt:only female TV reporter of an international channel from Kashmir
Kashmiri women are intelligent and sharp :Shahana Butt




‘’Kashmir’s worst ever flood that knocked the city on September last year, devastated tens of thousands of people in one way or the other, including Shahana Butt. The day Kashmir was hit by flood; she were the only female reporting on the ground. As situations turned bad to worse, ‘’I was land locked in an area that wasn’t affected by floods directly and were all exits were sealed, a mountainous hilly area of Srinagar known as Nishat. On one side my passion for reporting and on the other side was the concern of my family, both kept frustrating me. She is the only female TV reporter of an international channel from valley serving in Kashmir “I always wanted to become a TV journalist. But working with press TV made me to love journalism as it taught me those things that no teacher or class taught me’’ says Shahana She shares her experience, struggle, success, and how to become a Journalist in an Exclusive Interview with Journalist MANSOOR PAREY Excerpts:



Q Lets Walk through your educational background and the place you were born?
SB: I was born and brought up in Kashmir I have masters in journalism and communications.





Q did you enter Journalism by choice or by Chance? What inspired you to be a Journalist?
SB: By choice ... There was nothing in particular to inspire me but I always wanted to be a voice for others.





Q what was the actual condition of women Journalism when you entered the field?
Women journalists have been there before me. But society in Kashmir doesn't support them well. Because it's a conservative one. I have hit streets to report mostly respected at times hurt because of unnecessary Hoots and comments. Which I believe should not be there.




Q Shahana you started your professional career directly with an International TV Channel (Press TV) how did that happen?

SB: When in 2008 Kashmir was boiling with the land row issue and all media outlets were banned ... I so wanted to report the truth and I got the chance for which I had applied way back ...





Q what challenges did you come across at the initial stage of your career?
A: Facing huge security contingents was a bit tough and more than that making people understand that I m a journalist not someone who represents any agency nor am I on any secret task. People in kashmir have lost trust. It was difficult but I managed. Thank god




Q Have you ever faced any discrimination for being a woman journalist?
No I have not faced any thing called discrimination people have started accepting female journalists.




Q Tell us about a time when you have found your own Story?
I usually do my own stories I am a producer correspondent … Non assigns me ... I choose my stories and work.




Q What qualities do need to be a Journalist?
U need to be brave strong and patient to face challenges of this world and to top it all u need to have flair of journalism which grows with time.




Q Which was the worst day in your Professional Career?

I won't say worst but the incident that really made me think was during floods in Kashmir when people misunderstood me as some Indian journalist. And misbehaved with me telling me we do false reporting. That was a time I empathized with them. Because I m equally a part of Kashmir.






Q What are the major obstacles or challenges that you faced during recent fury floods in Kashmir?
Mistrust created due to false reporting on some Indian media outlets made it difficult for us to work on fields and feeling of helplessness surrounded me. Because I wasn't able to report since communications were down.




Q in J&K what were the problems or issues that media has not worked on? What according to you is the biggest problem faced by the state?
Media itself need to work in coordination and must make associations and forums to discuss issues related to their fields. More over journalism must not be used as a tool to support politics. It must be free and fare.



Q what is your dream story and how did you intend to cover it?
I wish wars never happen but I want to report on the war front in any part of world.




Q Is J&K dangerous state for Journalists give your work and experience in the field over the years. do you agree with this assignment?
I don't think it's dangerous. One has to be cautious. It's better not to have affiliations. Independent journalism is better in this state.




Q currently what story you working on? How difficult was to interview flood victims?
I have reported flood but on international front Kashmir floods lost its value because it was not reported on time. There was a mixed reaction by flood victims some were angry and some saw us as only means to sprees truth.



QIf you had the opportunity to cover any news story in the last few years which one would it be and why? What was your first assignment?
My first assignment was on how Kashmir is moving towards non violent means for free Kashmir. If I was working for Indian news channel I would prefer reporting flood aftermath. I can say it was not reported well but thanks to some publications.



Q Given the media's erratic schedule how difficult is to balance work and family?
I have managed because I m an independent journalist .but yes it's I have managed because I m an independent journalist .but yes it is difficult to balance life and it has many time created problems for me. At the end one has to prioritize


Q what have been the high points of your career? do you think you have achieved what you had set out?
I think sky is the limit. The high point is when I received over one thousand emails of appreciation after my article THE day I repent being a journalist Thanks for recognizing that I have reported truthfully.


Q as a young journalist how do you see the future of women journalism in Kashmir?
It is bright because Kashmiri women are intelligent and sharp Just let them be I request.




Q: any message for aspiring women journalists in Kashmir
SB: Please pursue your dream there is this world that will accept best of you and your work Good luck.

Thanks Shahana for expressing your views with us it was pleasure talk to you thank You Very much.



(Mansoor Parey is a working Journalist and can be contact on: [email protected] 9906509357)



(Opinions expressed in write-ups/articles/Letters are the sole responsibility of the authors and they may not represent the Scoop News)



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