Fact-checking and media literacy training programme held at MERC

Srinagar, Mar 6:  To equip journalism students with the skills required to navigate the complex world of information, focusing on fact-checking techniques and encouraging media literacy, the Media Education Research Centre (MERC), University of Kashmir (KU), Wednesday inaugurated a two-day national workshop here.

The Centre organised the workshop titled ‘Fact Checking and Media Literacy Training’ in collaboration with ‘Logically Facts’, a subsidiary of ‘Logically’, a UK-based organisation specialising in combating disinformation and data-driven journalism.

On the occasion, KU Dean of Academic Affairs, Prof Farooq Masoodi highlighted the significance of technology and the responsibility that comes with it.

“With rapid technological advancement, people need to be aware of healthy media usage,” Prof Masoodi said reiterating the importance of experiential learning by conducting such workshops.

Head of MERC, Prof Sabeha Mufti said that the centre was striving to provide quality training to students and also aims to contribute by way of quality research.

“With the proliferation of misinformation and fake news, the importance of fact-checking and media literacy has become more critical,” she said.

The main highlight of the event was the insights shared by Deputy Editor Logically Facts, Shreyashi Roy and  Head of Logically Facts-India, Kritika Goel, who shed light on the significance of fact-checking and delved into the recent instances of disinformation and misinformation prevalent worldwide.

Underscoring the urgency of looking into misinformation and disinformation, Workshop Coordinator, Prof Syeda Afshana, said the aim is to cultivate scepticism and critical thinking, orient students with the tools to combat falsehoods and stand firm in commitment to accuracy and impartiality.

“In today's digital age, information is power but misinformation is turning powerful and the trend is posing an alarming threat, especially for media students tasked with upholding truth,” she said.

The inaugural session also witnessed the release of ‘Media Times’, the Centre’s annual journal.

MERC faculty, Prof Aaliya Ahmed, Prof Malik Zahra, Irfan Hashim, and Adil Bakshi besides scholars and students attended the function.

MERC faculty Rashid Maqbool conducted the proceedings while as co-coordinator of the workshop, Afsana Rashid presented the formal vote of thanks.