Page 12 - link magazine

12 swindonlink.com • February 2011
BNP boosts heart trek to Everest Peatmoor man proves power of local
news reporting in conflict zones
Swindon members of the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) have
backed fundraising by Hanif Robani, owner of the Bombay Lounge Engineer and broadcast journalist Brian Barber of Peatmoor will be
and fitness expert Manjit Dol of Absolutely Fit. packing his bags to head out to Nigeria in March to set up a mobile
The pair will be making a 16 day trek to Everest base camp at 26,000 feet
in March in aid of the British Heart Foundation. Hanif said he is relying phone based news system that will keep the electorate informed of
developments as the country prepares to go to the polls in April.
on Manjit to get him into shape beforehand. “Working irregular hours
in the restaurant isn’t the best preparation, but Manjit has got me in the Brian is working with the Insti-
gym daily and can tell immediately if I’m not eating the right things.” tute of War and Peace Reporting, a
Manjit added, “both of us have friends and family members who charitable organisation that trains
suffer from heart disease. It’s quite a major issue amongst older Asians local journalists in conflict areas to
who don’t exercise enough or look after their diet.” gather genuine news stories and
broadcast them uncensored.
Hanif, centre, and Manjit, centre right, receiving a donation from members He said, “I developed an Interac-
of the Swindon branch of the Bangladesh National Party (BNP)
tive Voice Response system for the
September elections in Afghanistan
over which people could listen to
pre-recorded news about election
progress in either Dari, Pashto or
English.
“Mobile phone technology able to confirm that the convoy had
is commonplace in developing indeed been attacked.”
countries and war zones, and this The system proved so successful
is just one important and powerful Brian was asked to provide the same
way that it can be used to benefit service for the upcoming elections
civilians who need to know what’s in Nigeria. Brian has a wealth of
really going on.” experience setting up local, non-
To illustrate how news stories commercial radio stations across
often get distorted by the authori- Africa. He said, “the stations are
Discover what 2011 has in store over a curry ties, Brian said, “the editor in Kabul owned by the community and
received a report that a NATO broadcast vital information about
The Bombay Lounge at Peatmoor Centre holds a night of intrigue on convoy had been attacked and the lives of local people. They guard
Wednesday 16 February when psychic and tarot card reader Mystic Ruth one person killed, but government them fiercely. I have seen hundreds
will be joined by fun party palmist John Edward, tarot reader Ayon Perry officials claimed that the incident of people descend on a radio studio
and medium Mark de Ville. involved nothing more than a to prevent it being closed down by
Readings have to be reserved in advance. To book an all you can eat donkey cart. Having interviewed the police.”
meal and a 15 minute reading for £20 mail: [email protected] three eye witnesses the editor was www.iwpr.net

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