Journalist Waseem Qadri awarded with NPF International Trade Fellowship

In a remarkable achievement for Pakistani journalism, Mr. Waseem Shahzad Qadri has been awarded the coveted NPF International Trade Fellowship for 2024. Qadri, a highly acclaimed multimedia journalist and filmmaker, has produced award-winning reports and documentaries for esteemed international media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg TV, Al Jazeera, VOA News, Hearts Media, Ruptly, The Roar, and The Zimbabwean.

Qadri’s notable career also includes significant contributions to Pakistan’s leading media organizations. As a former fellow at the Center for Investigative Journalism (CIJ) at City University of London and a MOJO-certified journalist from both CIJ and Al Jazeera Media Institute in Doha, he has trained numerous journalists in Pakistan, enhancing the country’s journalistic landscape.

The National Press Foundation (NPF) in Washington DC, in collaboration with the Hinrich Foundation in Singapore, organizes the high-level training program for journalists.

This year, only 25 journalists from various countries were selected through a rigorous application process initiated in May 2024.

This fellowship aims to foster professional development and facilitate cross-cultural exchange in the context of an ever-evolving global trade environment.

The 2024 fellowship cohort represents a diverse array of journalistic talent from across Asia. Notable attendees from Singapore include Yueh Shyang Chau of Lianhe Zaobao and Jiahui Huang of Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones Newswire. Hong Kong SAR, China, is represented by Bonnie Chen of Sing Tao News Corporation Limited, Mia Nulimaimaiti of South China Morning Post (SCMP), and Zen Soo of Associated Press.

From India, Uzmi Athar of Press Trust of India, Meena Kotwal of The Mooknayak, and Richa Pinto of The Times of India were selected. The Philippines is represented by Michael Beltran of The News Lens International and freelance journalist Raissa Robles. Joining from Japan is freelance journalist Nithin Coca, alongside Morshed Hassib Hasan and Tauhid Hossain from Bangladesh’s Channel 24 and Jamuna Television Limited, respectively.

Taiwan’s cohort includes Yian Lee from The Reporter and Silva Shih from Commonwealth Magazine. China’s delegation features James Mayger and Georgina McKay from Bloomberg News, and Pallavi Sareen from The Strait Line. Cambodia’s representative is Seng Mengheng from Kiripost Media, while Roni Satria represents CNN Indonesia. Pakistan’s Waseem Shahzad Qadri from The Think Tank Journal also joins this prestigious group.

From Vietnam, Phuc Ta of Forbes Vietnam and Nghi Vũ of Tuoi Tre Newspaper were selected, with Thailand represented by freelance journalist Jitsiree Thongnoi. Singapore is further represented by Kang Wan Chern of The Straits Times.

Since its inception in 1976, the National Press Foundation has been dedicated to nurturing journalistic talent and promoting excellence in reporting. This fellowship underscores NPF’s commitment to providing journalists with invaluable opportunities for professional growth and development. Through a combination of in-person seminars and globally accessible digital curriculums, NPF continues to empower journalists to adeptly navigate the complexities of today’s media landscape.