Srinagar: A workshop on ‘Media and Information Literacy’ was organized by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Govt. College for Women, M.A. Road, Srinagar, on Friday.
The event, as per news agency JKNS, aimed at building capacity to navigate the evolving media landscape and combat misinformation. It was part of the FactShala University Network programme, supported by the Google News Initiative and developed by DataLEADS, an award-winning digital media and tech company.
Dr. Afsana Rashid, Assistant Professor at the Media Education Research Centre (MERC), Kashmir University, and a certified FactShala Trainer, was the resource person for the session. The workshop addressed various topics including media bias, misinformation ecosystems, deepfakes, artificial intelligence, and critical thinking.
Prof. (Dr.) Yasmeen Farooq, Principal of the college, emphasized the importance of media literacy skills to critically assess content and become responsible citizens. She highlighted that such workshops are essential in combating fake news and misinformation.
Dr. Afsana shared insights into differentiating misinformation from disinformation, offering useful tips on identifying fake news and staying safe online. She also introduced several online platforms designed to boost media literacy.
Dr. Suhail Ahmad, Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, highlighted the department’s regular fact-checking workshops with Google-certified trainers. He noted the increasing prevalence of fake news, even within mainstream media. “That is why such workshops are crucial,” Dr. Suhail added.
The workshop concluded with an engaging discussion where participants shared their personal experiences about the challenges of verifying online content in today’s information overload. (JKNS)
