Four state scribes attend international media workshop
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kolkata, August 11 2022: US Consulate General Kolkata along with Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS), International, South Asian Women in Media (SAWM) and East West Center (EWC) inaugurated an international media workshop on 'Role of women journalists in countering misinformation & disinformation in the Indo-Pacific Region' at American Centre, Kolkata on Thursday, where four journalists from Manipur are taking part.

The People's Chronicle reporter Longjam Arishrona, Imphal Free Press reporter Phurailatpam Kenny, Ichel Express reporter Waikhom Chitradhani and Impact News associate editor Joyshree Usham are among 60 women journalists from the US and countries in Indo Pacific region such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore who are participating in the workshop.

Speaking at the inaugural function, US Consulate General consul general Melinda Pavek pointed out that freedom of press is vital for meaningful democracy.

However, the journalist should know the impacts given by misinformation which will lead to distrust, she cautioned.

Informing that Digital Communication Network (DCN) has been set up by the United States where around 8,000 people from different walks of life, includ ing journalists, educators, communicators, news media professionals and public officials work for combating disinformation and propaganda, she said that the network developed tools to fact check information and provide true information to the people.

The United States has been taking up initiatives to enhance media literacy, popularise fact checking and supports freedom of press by connecting with different networks and strengthening them in the Indo-Pacific region.

The inaugural function was also attended by American Centre Kolkata director and US Consulate General Kolkata public affairs officer Adrin Pratt; CUTS Interna tional executive director Bipul Chatterjee, EWC media program manager Susan Kreifels and SAWM, India general secretary Nilova Roy Chaudhary.

In the first session of the workshop, Centre for Investigative Reporting, Sri Lanka executive director Dilrukshi Handunnetti spoke on the topic 'News literacy in the age of misinformation'; SAWN president and Ananda Bazar Patrika assistant editor Swati Bhattacharjee on 'Press unmute; Combating workplace harassment and online trolling for women journalist' as resource persons along with ice breaker session for the journalists.

The second session, which is a panel discussion on 'Disinformation and Geopolitical Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region' moderated by Centre for Investigative Journalism, Nepal Namrata Sharma was attended by The Hindu diplomatic editor Suhasini Haidar, IIMS Odisha regional director Mrinal Chatterjee, freelance journalist Priyadarshini Sen and NDTV former executive director Monideepa Banerjee as speakers, while Media Wise Poynter Institute USA International Training Manager Brittani Kollar spoke on the topic Be right, not first.

Navigating the journalism industry as a women' as resource person in the last session of the workshop.

Manipuri women journalists also brought up issues about misinformation/ disinformation faced in the state during the workshop.

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