On March 6th in Srinagar, the Media Education Research Centre (MERC) at the University of Kashmir (KU) launched a two-day national workshop aimed at providing journalism students with essential skills to navigate the intricate landscape of information. The workshop focuses on teaching fact-checking techniques and promoting media literacy.
The Centre collaborated with Logically Facts, a subsidiary of Logically, a UK-based organization specializing in countering disinformation and data-driven journalism, to organize the workshop titled “Fact Checking and Media Literacy Training.”
During the event, Prof. Farooq Masoodi, the Dean of Academic Affairs at KU, emphasized the importance of technology and the accompanying responsibility. “Given the fast-paced technological progress, it’s crucial for people to understand how to use media in a healthy manner,” Prof. Masoodi stated, underscoring the value of experiential learning through workshops like these.Professor Sabeha Mufti, the head of MERC, expressed the center’s commitment to delivering high-quality training to students and its dedication to making valuable contributions through quality research endeavors.Given the widespread dissemination of misinformation and fake news, the significance of fact-checking and media literacy has become increasingly vital,” she emphasized.
The main focus of the event centered around the valuable insights provided by Deputy Editor of Logically Facts, Shreyashi Roy, and Head of Logically Facts-India, Kritika Goel. They discussed the importance of fact-checking and explored recent instances of disinformation and misinformation prevalent globally.Highlighting the imperative need to address misinformation and disinformation, Workshop Coordinator Professor Syeda Afshana emphasized the goal of fostering skepticism and critical thinking among students. The aim is to equip them with the necessary tools to combat falsehoods and uphold a commitment to accuracy and impartiality. “In today’s digital era, information holds power, but the rise of misinformation presents a formidable threat, particularly for media students tasked with upholding truth,” she remarked.
The inaugural session also featured the unveiling of ‘Media Times,’ the annual journal of the Centre. In attendance were MERC faculty members Prof. Aaliya Ahmed, Prof. Malik Zahra, Irfan Hashim, and Adil Bakshi, along with scholars and students. Rashid Maqbool, a faculty member at MERC, facilitated the proceedings, while Afsana Rashid, the workshop’s co-coordinator, delivered the formal vote of thanks.
