BIRATNAGAR, JULY 21

A group of 20 participants, including journalists, bloggers, vloggers, content creators, and youth, recently gathered for a two-day provincial training of trainer's workshop on 'Understanding and Combating Mis/Dis Information' in Biratnagar.

The workshop was organized by the Youth Innovation Lab in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Nepal. The workshop aimed to equip participants with essential skills and knowledge to address the challenges posed by Mis/Dis Information in today's digital age.

The participants were introduced to 'Shikshya.Org,' an interactive e-learning portal developed by a pool of sectorial experts of journalists in Nepal. This comprehensive online course provides a practical guide for individuals seeking to understand and tackle the growing issue of Mis/Dis Information. Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in both practical sessions and online learning methodologies, discussing real-life challenges faced by content creators due to the rise of Mis/Dis Information.

The workshop covered four key modules:

Navigating Nepal's Evolving Media Landscape: Addressing Mis/Dis Information in Traditional and New Media

Combating Mis/Dis Information through Fact-checking and Media Literacy in Nepal

Breaking the Bias: Understanding and Combating Mis/Dis Information against Marginalized Communities in Nepal

Legal and Regulatory Approaches to Combat Mis/Dis Information

During the interactive sessions, participants learned to recognize and evaluate Mis/Dis Information in traditional and new media sources. They were equipped with fact-checking techniques and media literacy skills to identify and debunk false information effectively. Additionally, the workshop addressed how marginalized communities are being targeted by Mis/Dis Information and explored measures to counter such practices.

The discussion highlighted case studies from Nepal, illustrating instances where Mis/Dis Information had a significant impact. Participants were also exposed to best practices within the Nepali media landscape, emphasizing the importance of fact-checking and media literacy as essential tools in the fight against false information.

One of the key theories discussed during the workshop was the Spiral of Silence theory, which sheds light on the tendency of individuals in the minority to remain silent due to fear of isolation or social exclusion. Participants gained insights into legal and regulatory approaches to combat Mis/Dis Information, identifying gaps that require attention to strengthen the media ecosystem.

Speaking at the session, Mr. Rajan Pokhrel, lead trainer and a module content creator, emphasized the role of traditional media and the urgency for adopting new technologies to bridge gaps. He expressed confidence that the course developed would empower individuals to navigate the evolving media landscape effectively and combat Mis/Dis Information in Nepal.

Pradip Khatiwada, Executive Director of Youth Innovation Lab, highlighted the significance of the platform 'Shikshya.org' in empowering and educating individuals. He highlighted the course's potential to serve as a valuable resource for media enthusiasts, the general public, and students, fostering an informed, educated, and empowered society.

The successful provincial workshop at Biratnagar is the first step in a larger initiative to combat Mis/Dis Information throughout Nepal. The program aims to conduct similar workshops in all seven provinces, ultimately creating a pool of 140 trained trainers equipped with the knowledge and skills to effectively tackle Mis/Dis Information.

Understanding and Countering Mis/Dis Information project implemented by Youth Innovation Lab, a not-for-profit civic tech company that empowers young minds to explore, create, and innovate, with financial assistance from the U.S. Embassy in Nepal intends to create an ecosystem of misinformation and disinformation warriors through training young journalists, content creators, activists, and youth leaders across the nation. Thus, the project has been conceptualized to develop a user-friendly and effective e-learning platform. This initiative seeks to engage journalists and independent content creators in developing modules to make them relevant and resourceful.