Today it is 10th anniversary of the talk show I have been associated with for six years – and which is the oldest political talk show in history of Pakistani broadcast media. I have to acknowledge that whatever I have known about journalism so far its because of my time with Geo tv in general and with talk show particularly.I have worked with Capital Talk since Februaury 26th, 2006 untill June 2011, when I left for the US to pursue Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship. I rejoined the channel and the program in this July on the same designation and salary.My commitment and dedication with the program is gauged from the factor that I rejoined the program rather than to go anywhere else.
During my years with the show; I have done some special programs like programs with students holders from different eduction boards, not only in studio but also in Rawalpindi Arts Council and National Library. I have also made 24- packages and two of them need to be mentioned here; First one was the report on Jamia Hafsa and it was the first ever report that any reporter had made after the conflict started between the government and Jamia Hafsa. I went inside and made that report and, also went inside Lal Mosque as we had to record our program from there. Second one was the report on Government Pehlvi School which was an obsolete building but, was rennovated by NUST after they watched my report.
The most memorable program which was a new lesson for me was the making of documentary about former assassinated Benazir Bhutto. I did all the research, coordination, and also wrote a production plan . I have started to work on this documentary in May 2008 and completed by the first death anniversary of BB. This experience taught me how to produce a documentary and afterwards, I produced many other shows. By far, this and so many other tasks have polished me into a professional.
My starting of career with Capital Talk in 2006 was the harbinger of many changes in my life both positive and negative. Off course, the positive ones are I have learned about journalism, I learned about production and I have learned to make packages and how to make news for the newspaper and so many other profession related matters. I have also sacrificed so much during my time with the program like family life. I couldn’t spend some memorable moments with my family and also could not attend many religious and social gatherings. I still remember leaving annual Christmas dinner of 2008 in my church congregation as I was busy finalizing documentary on BB.The same documentary is also used by the UN in its investigations. When today, I have taken out the clips from last ten-years of Capital Talk, and also thought to ink my thoughts, as I couldn’t express them anywhere, which is also very disappointing. Yet, I will always be thankful to everyone related with the program for teaching me so much. What I have learned and seen during these six years that education, hard work and dedication make your journey long, as it is happening in my case, whereas, if you have some other traits then it will ease your journey to success in the field .I look so many times at my Humphrey Certificate signed by the US Secretary of State and the US President and, ask myself ”What is this big achievement giving me?” Is this certificate hanging on wall just to appease my heart and cool my eyes? Only one thought consoles me and gives me hope and that is when I pray.
Lubna Thomas Benjamin 