Najia Ashar (born 14 July 1978)[1] is a broadcast journalist and media development professional[2][3][4] with more than 20 years of experience in Pakistan’s mainstream media. She is the founder & president of Global Neighbourhood for Media Innovation (GNMI),[5] a Karachi-based nonprofit organization working for media development and peacebuilding in Pakistan.
Najia Ashar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 14 July 1978 Karachi, Pakistan |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Education | Master of Social Science in International Relations |
| Occupation(s) | Development Professional, Journalist |
| Years active | 2002 - Present |
| Organization | Global Neighbourhood for Media Innovation |
| Known for | Media, Peace, Training |
| Spouse | Ashar Ali |
| Children | 2 |
Development edit
Najia established GNMI with the intention of reinventing newsrooms all across Pakistan. She has media workers to report on human rights, CVE, gender-based violence and safety and security through diverse digital tools and entrepreneurial journalism.[6]
Journalism edit
Najia started her news media career in 2002 at state-owned Pakistan Television as a writer and researcher.[7]
As a media professional, she has hosted a number of programs on sensitive human rights issues which included influential stakeholders of the society and worked as a host of a news morning show at GNN TV and served as Editor News Strategy and Planning at Aaj News.[8][9] She also hosted a daily news show "News Hour With Najia".[10] Prior to that she worked as a news presenter at Geo News for 12 years.[11][12]
Fellowships edit
She participated in a John S. Knight Journalism Fellowship to Stanford University from 2014 to 2015.[12][13][14] under which she dived deeply into journalism innovation and strategic leadership in Silicon Valley and developed a practical, user-friendly safety guide for Pakistani journalists .[15] In 2013, she participated in a fellowship from the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawai'i,[16] whom she also entered into partnership with in 2021.[17]
Education edit
Najia holds a Master's (2000) and Bachelor's degree (1999) in International Relations from the University of Karachi.[18][19]
Personal life edit
Najia was born in the Qasba Colony, a neighbourhood in Karachi housing diverse ethnic groups.[15] She is married to Ashar Ali, a news executive.[20][1] The couple has two children.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Najia Ashar Newscaster and Host". www.woman.com.pk. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- ^ Hasan, Shazia (13 April 2019). "'Harassment is an issue of human rights, security & economics'". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ Hasan, Shazia (11 December 2019). "'You need to be strong to handle male egos'". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ "'Social media help mobilise communities, voice concerns'". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ "Global Neighbourhood for Media Innovation".
- ^ Azeem, Tehreem (20 September 2021). "Can entrepreneurial journalism save press in Pakistan?". The Pakistan Daily. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
- ^ "Najia Ashar - biography and personal life". Profiles of Famous Pakistanis. 27 September 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Guest speakers". Due to COVID, our summer program at Stanford is cancelled. Check back this fall for info on Summer 2022. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "GNN launches it's regular transmission from Today". Media Bites News. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Aaj TV Official - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
- ^ "Seminar discusses role media can play in promoting tolerance". ARY NEWS. 1 February 2020. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Najia Ashar chosen for JSK Journalism Fellowship - Journalism Pakistan". www.journalismpakistan.com. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ Hasan, Shazia (22 April 2017). "Journalists share gender, safety issues at NMC". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ Anonymous (18 December 2014). "Najia Ashar: The Evolution of Electronic Media in Pakistan: Its Impact on Society and Challenges". Stanford Humanities. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
- ^ a b Chohan, Marwa. ""Let me try" — pioneering journalist Najia Ashar shares backstory of becoming a broadcaster in Pakistan – Global Student Square". Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- ^ "Rising Violence in Pakistan: A Complex Challenge". East-West Center | www.eastwestcenter.org. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ "New Project Supports Influencers Promoting Peace in Pakistan". East-West Center | www.eastwestcenter.org. 5 June 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
- ^ "Rising Violence in Pakistan: A Complex Challenge". East-West Center | www.eastwestcenter.org. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- ^ Bhutto, Rozina (9 April 2015). "'I won't stop making mistakes' says Najia Ashar". HIP. Retrieved 26 July 2021.
- ^ "Meet Beautiful Family Of Famous Pakistani Journalist And News Anchor Najia Ashar". Health Fashion. Retrieved 15 July 2021.