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Santhosh Chandra
Doha
A Doha-based freelance journalist's initiative to disseminate news of interest through WhatsApp to the large expatriate Malayali community in Qatar is turning out to be a huge hit.
Anwar Palery's WhatsApp bulletin Press 4 News is looked forward to keenly by Malayalis daily for what his fans call a œtrustworthy ? news source in Malayalam. And soon, he is launching a web portal with voiceovers and video clippings with the same name.
Even though social media is widely used by the over 300,000-strong Kerala expatriates in Qatar, many were feeling the lack of a credible source for news. His initiative seeks to bridge that gap.
Anwar who has over 30 years' experience in television journalism in the Gulf region, told Qatar Tribune, œFor long, I have been thinking of launching a free news channel. Now with the diplomatic crisis in Qatar, I thought the time was apt for the immediate launch of a web portal which can be linked to social media platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook. ?
œThe current situation in Qatar has caused some concerns among families and friends of Kerala expatriates living here. They have been closely following the developments here, ? Anwar said.
For instance, he said, a village like Kettungal in Kerala has a minimum of one person in Qatar from each family. œFor them, what happens in Qatar is as important as what happens in their village. ?
Anwar claims the subscribers of ?Press 4 News' run into thousands with many more shares in social media.
œSocial media is double-edged sword now. Walking through that edge seeking the truth is a tough job. Sifting fact from fiction is a big challenge for media houses now. At the same time, social media is very powerful means of disseminating information, ? he said.
Anwar counts on the over 500 members of his WhatsApp group for reliable information. He admits that on occasion he has gone wrong. œBut, I quickly correct myself if something that is reported is proven wrong. ?
His initiative has benefited a large number of low income workers who are not able to afford newspapers. A worker at a farm house at Al Shahaniya said, œWe waiting everyday for Press 4 News in our WhatsApp and Facebook groups. We forward the bulletin to our families back home. ?
Managing Director of Quality Group of Companies Shamsudeen Olakara said, œPress 4 News is something I don't want to miss despite my busy schedule. The narrative is simple but rich with facts. ?
Anwar has worked with leading Malayalam channels like Asianet and Kairali TV for many years. .
