A training workshop titled ‘Fact-Checking to Prevent Rumors’ aimed at addressing the growing challenge of misinformation, fake news, and rumors circulating on social media, was successfully conducted by South Asia Center for Media in Development (SACMID) funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The two-day training workshop was held on August 19-20 at the Swapnotori Conference Hall in Brahmanbaria.
21 participants from various fields attended a training session on fact-checking conducted by Kadruddin, Shishir Fact-Checking Editor of (Agence France-Press) AFP Bangladesh Office and Amir Shakir, Editor at Boom Bangladesh. The trainers provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of the methodologies and best practices essential for verifying the authenticity of news content.
Key topics were covered during the workshop included the fundamentals of fact-checking, its critical importance in today’s media landscape, and the step-by-step process for verifying photos, videos, and information. Participants also explored the distinctions between misinformation, disinformation, and rumors, and learned effective techniques for identifying when and how to conduct fact-checks.
The workshop was designed to equip participants with practical skills for presenting verification reports, a crucial tool in maintaining journalistic integrity.
The closing session featured remarks by S.M. Shaheen, Executive Director of Sawnirvar Brahmanbaria, who emphasized the vital role of accurate information in fostering a well-informed society. The event attracted a diverse group of participants, including journalists from national and local media outlets, educators, students, legal professionals, and social media influencers from across the Brahmanbaria district. The workshop underscored the importance of collective action in the fight against misinformation and reinforced the need for ongoing efforts to enhance media literacy.