Community journalism is becoming more active among our readers, as it is a way for them to raise and solve their day-to-day problems by bringing them to the notice of the authorities concerned.
Last month, our community reporters moved from immediate community issues of abandoned pets, animal cruelty, road discipline, and proper rubbish disposal to more global issues of environment such as saving water and planting trees.
The newspaper recognises that it takes effort to identify and bring up the issues from everyday life to create awareness that could help make the UAE a better place to live in. Hence, we appreciate the attempt by our readers in the past year and promise to voice their concerns in the future as well. Today, we award the reporters for July who shared their experiences and brought significant matters to the fore.
The community reports published in July were judged by Senior Hub Editor Meher Murshed. The criteria for selection included content, issue, impact on community, responsibility and the quality of contribution.
1) Looking for safe passage
July 23
By: T.A. Palani, Priya Malkani, Othman Qazi, Robert Fernandes and Peter George
Reason for selection:
With a number of major roads lacking safe pedestrian options, people resort to running across the street in front of speeding cars. The community reporters took the initiative to bring attention to these dangerous pedestrian crossings throughout the country. For Senior Hub Editor Meher Murshed, their efforts are key to solving the problem. He said: “This community report specially highlights a serious issue that affects people every day. The impact of having a full page report of this nature helps get the message across.”
Profiles:
T.A. Palani works at an airline company in Dubai.
He has lived in Al Quoz for a few years and realised that “there are no proper pedestrian passages in the area”. Palani said that community reports are “a good platform to get messages” across to the public.
Othman Qazi, an accountant in Dubai, wrote his community report after seeing pedestrians struggle as they cross the road in Al Nahda. He said that there are large communities of working men and women that are in need of a pedestrian crossing in the area.
Qazi said: “Community reports are great at helping to learn about and solve community problems.”
Robert Fernandes, an executive secretary in Dubai, reported on pedestrians forced to jaywalk on risky roads.
He said: “I always come across pedestrians on both sides of the road. I request the authorities to take immediate steps by constructing pedestrian bridges to ensure the safe passage of pedestrians.”
Peter George, an engineer in Dubai, highlighted dangerous zebra crossings in this community report special. “In Al Nahda motorists never bother pausing at the zebra crossing. There are many schools in the neighbourhood too,” George said.
Priya Malkani, an assistant in Sharjah, brought attention to the need for speed bumps and zebra crossings to make drivers slow down.
She said that reporting a problem using community reports is rewarding as it benefits many people. For this issue especially, Palani felt that “it was a necessary report for all pedestrians”.
2) Al Khan beach is a mess
July 6
By: T. Kanji
Reason for Selection:
Beaches are a valuable natural resource that people should respect. This is why the community reporter’s photo of construction material covering the shore in Al Khan is an upsetting image.
Senior Hub Editor Meher Murshed said: “It is really sad to see when natural resources are misused. Places like beaches help maintain the environmental balance in the city. Its pollution affects everyone.”
Profile:
T. Kanji is a business person based in Sharjah.
As a regular beach visitor, Kanji was unhappy to see the once pristine beach turn into a dumping ground for waste.
While the beach has yet to be cleaned up, he said, “Community reports are an excellent initiative because I’ve often seen action taken after these reports are published.”
3) Open manhole in heart of the city
July 3
By: Haider Janjua
Reason for Selection:
Footpaths are meant to be a safe place for pedestrians to walk, but uncovered holes are accidents waiting to happen. These holes should be properly sealed in such a busy area, which is why the community reporter took this photo in Dubai. Senior Hub Editor Meher Murshed said: “It is a very good effort by a young community journalist because it serves as a good example for others to raise similar issues.”
Profile:
Haider Janjua is a 14-year-old student in Dubai.
He was surprised to see the hole open on a road filled with major stores that pedestrians visit often. “It is dangerous for pedestrians and cars that pass through the street,” said Janjua. Through his community report Janjua hopes “to alert the authorities to take immediate action”.