Amid the vast spread of information from both known and unknown sources, 60 journalists from Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) participated in a workshop to develop skills in identifying and verifying credible information and filtering out misinformation.
Held on Wednesday morning at the National Institute of Mass Media, the half-day workshop titled “Media in Building an Inclusive New Bangladesh: Tackling Misinformation, Disinformation, and Fact-Checking” aimed to strengthen journalists’ fact-checking abilities.
Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farzana, addressing the participants as chief guest, emphasized the essential role of media professionals in fostering positive societal change and urged them to prioritize public engagement. She acknowledged the critical contribution of journalists during pivotal moments in Bangladesh’s history, including their role in spreading information during student-led movements, and assured the ministry’s ongoing support to the media.
The workshop was chaired by National Media Institute Director General Sufi Zakir Hossain, with insights from Daily Manab Zamin’s Chief News Editor Sazedul Haque and AFP Fact Check Editor Qadruddin Shishir. DRU President Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo highlighted the importance of training for objective journalism, particularly in fact-checking, noting that misinformation can have grave societal impacts.
The session was conducted by Dr. Md. Maruf Nawaz, Director (Training Programs) at the Institute, with additional remarks from DRU’s IT and Training Secretary Rashim Mollah, who called for increased governmental focus on journalist training, describing it as vital for media integrity and responsibility. The session concluded with calls for widespread public awareness on verifying information before sharing.
DRU Finance Secretary Md. Zakir Hossain, Welfare Secretary Tanvir Ahmed, and Executive Member Rafiq Mridha were also present at the workshop.
