On November 23, 2024, BetterStories Limited participated in the "Basic Fact-Checking Workshop: Navigating Cross-Border Misinformation", an initiative by Fact Watch and The Asia Foundation in Dhaka.
The workshop aimed to address the growing challenges of misinformation in South Asia, where platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube have become key drivers of the rapid spread of false content. With India and Bangladesh among the top contributors to the dissemination of fake news, the event sought to empower participants with strategies to tackle this pervasive issue.
The workshop featured four expert-led sessions focusing on critical aspects of misinformation and basic fact-checking. Professor Shumon Rahman kicked off the event by exploring the psychology behind the public's vulnerability to misinformation and how it impacts societal trust. Mr. Zulker Naeen presented research on how false information spreads across borders, identifying the specific pathways through which misinformation travels. In India, misinformation often originates on Twitter and propagates through WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok. In Babgladesh, however, misinformation is generated on Facebook and circulates through YouTube and TikTok. Mr. Rahul Roy highlighted the importance of digital security for fact-checkers, outlining strategies to protect against digital threats. The final session, led by Shuvashis Dip, provided practical insights into verification techniques, equipping participants with tools such as reverse image search, AI detection systems, and deepfake identification methods.
Key learnings included understanding the differences between misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation; each playing distinct roles in the spread of false content. The workshop emphasized the critical importance of media literacy, critical thinking, and lateral reading, which help individuals and organizations assess the credibility of information before sharing or acting upon it. Participants also gained hands-on experience with tools to verify the authenticity of images, videos, and websites, learning to counteract malicious content with greater precision.
The event gave us the opportunity to collaborate with the Community Solution Program (CSP), launching in December. This grassroots initiative focuses on raising awareness, promoting media literacy, and combating fake news at the community level.The workshop highlighted the urgent need for strategic partnerships, strong fact-checking practices, and enhanced media literacy to build a more resilient information ecosystem. As misinformation continues to pose a significant threat to democratic processes and societal trust, these efforts will play a crucial role in mitigating its harmful impact.
Through such initiatives, BetterStories Limited remains committed to adapting innovation, capacity-building, and collaborative solutions, ultimately contributing to a future where truth prevails over falsehoods in a digitally connected world.