National Institute of Mass Communication (NIMC) and Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF) jointly organized Journalist Capacity Building on Internet Governance, Digital Safety and Security, Fact-Checking, and Verification Techniques at NIMC Training Room. 

The purpose of the workshop, held on October 19 (Wednesday) was to enhance the capacity of journalists working in creating and publishing objective, insightful and influential news and encourage journalists to acquire knowledge internet governance and skills in modern techniques fact-checking, data verification, and presentation in preparing credible reports and the digital safety and security and how to protect journalists from digital threats, a press release said.

Mr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Program Coordinator and Director (Training and Engineering) welcomed the participants in the training and mentioned that the NIMC has been working for capacity building of the journalists across the country but in the era of the fourth industrial revolution the journalist should cope with the internet and modern technology. During COVID-19 Pandemic we have introduced with the new normal situation we have organized the number of training through online platform and digitization help us to learn many new issues on journalism.

Ms. Shahin Islam, ndc, Director-General NIMC, mentioned the importance of the training and discussed the perspective of the first, second, third, and fourth industrial revolution and the requirement for coping with the rapid change of the technology. The Fact-checking and verification techniques in journalism in the current context are very important. Information verification and media monitoring for countering misinformation published through social media are very essential. NIMC is very happy to be a part of the organizer of the training. The participants will get the chance with insights into the importance and strategies of misinformation, disinformation, mal-information prevention in reporting, as well as various means of enhancing national and international communication in journalism. Fact-Checking is very important nowadays for countering misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information. Our Prime Minister has been working relentlessly for accelerating Digital Bangladesh. The Training will create an opportunity to learn about Digital Safety and Security, Fact-Checking, and Verification Techniques for the journalists from digital threats, digital security, misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information. 

M H Masum, Fellow, Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF) & APIGA Marketing Promotion Coordinator Fiber@Home Limited discussed on the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and Domain Name System (DNS) Uniform Resource Locator (URL) Top Level Domain (TLD) Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APINIC) Generic top-level domain (gTLD) and some other issue in a participatory discussion.

Mr. A H M Bazlur Rahman, Policy Research Fellow, Media in the Fourth Industrial Revolution & CEO of BNNRC discussed UN World Summit on Information Society Action Lines, Internet Governance, and Media. Digital Security Act 2018, National Online Mass Media Policy, 2017, and National Broadcasting Policy 2014. He said in the digitalization process through constructive engagement, amplifying the voices for reducing the digital divide by influencing policy-makers and coping with rapid change technology and adaptation are very important. He said BIGF has been working with the government to expedite the activities with the government and international level for knowledge creation, knowledge preservation, knowledge dissemination. For adaptation with the digital society, the youth should work on empowering, amplifying, and influencing power-holders. He also mentioned that the unconnected people who are living in rural areas should come under internet connectivity. 

Mr. Abu Rushd Md. Ruhul Amin, Senior News Editor, Bangla Vision discussed Digital Safety and Security, Fact-checking, and Verification Techniques. As part of the best practices to protect the information, news, sources, and devices, the participants learned how to safely protect emails and use the internet, how cookies work, what are the top risks for digital security, solution of top risks, what are the safe internet websites and Fact-checking and verification techniques.

Mr. Minhaz Uddin, Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Jagannath University discussed Misinformation, Disinformation, and Mal-information in Reporting. Inform people about the punishment or consequences of spreading misinformation, fake news, and disinformation

The purpose of the training was to enhance the capacity of journalists to work on creating and publishing objective, insightful and influential news reports; to encourage journalists to acquire knowledge and skills in modern techniques in data verification and presentation in creating neutral and balanced reports. A total of 24 journalists from online news portals from 8 divisions participated in the training.

It is hoped that the workshop will enable journalists to be more diligent and sensitive in verifying information to produce impartial and balanced credible reports. Besides, the journalists will be encouraged to use other modern techniques in presenting the data of the report and digital safety and security, and how to protect journalists from digital threats. The training was ended after the distribution of the certificates for the participants. Inaugural and closing sessions were moderated by Md. Abdus Salam and Md. Sohel Parvez moderated the session.

Mr. Mohammad Abdul Haque Anu, Secretary-General, mentioned Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF) started its journey in conjunction with the United Nations Internet Governance Forum (UNIGF). It is a multi-stakeholder platform to engage in Internet governance-related issues. The aim is to inspire new generations for constructive engagement and empowerment for a sustainable future in internet governance. It BIGF has been working with the government to accelerate the activities of Digital Bangladesh by conducting various dialogues, discussion meetings on various issues including policy change with the government and international level.