Thanks to the ProtectDefenders.eu Temporary Relocation programme, Noorani received customized training from Missouri School of Journalism faculty and trainers with Investigative Reporters and Editors, a non-profit organization affiliated with the university
Ahmad Noorani was working for The News International in Islamabad when he started receiving threats because of his reporting on the influence of the military in politics and unreported assets of leading politicians and family members. In 2017, he was attacked by an unidentified group and nearly killed. In 2020, he was nominated and selected for the fellowship managed by Alfred Friendly Press Partners in the US.
Noorani received customized training from Missouri School of Journalism faculty and trainers with Investigative Reporters and Editors, a non-profit organisation affiliated with the university. Noorani also received training on website development and running the business and legal aspects of establishing an online news platform, and received assistance in website development and implementation from a developer. Noorani received assistance in website content, including the naming of his news organisation, its vision and mission statements, ethical standards, coverage categories, editorial decisions such as using anonymous sources, and eliminating opinion and undocumented assertions.
Noorani has been able to continue his human rights work during his relocation. He launched his website, FactFocus. com, on August 27 with an exposé of the undeclared assets of a retired general and special assistant to the prime minister, a story edited by an adjunct faculty member. He continues to publish stories on his website that help keep the military and government leaders accountable. At this very moment, his relocation has been extended due to COVID-19.
Ahmed’s family, who remained in Pakistan, receives a monthly stipend to cover their basic expenses while the HRD is abroad, as part of the Temporary Relocation programme.
This is one of the highlights of the 2020 ProtectDefenders.eu Annual Report.
