'Free and independent media is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 11 2022: An international media workshop for Women Journalists from the IndoPacific region was held in Kolkata hosted by the US Consulate General Kolkata, in partnership with Consumer Unity & Trust Society (CUTS) and with the support of South Asian Women in Media (SAWM) and East West Center (EWC).

Speaking at the inaugural session of the workshop, Melinda Pavek, Consul General, US Consulate Kolkata, emphasised the role of free and independent media as the cornerstone of a healthy democracy.

She also cautioned against the adverse impact of information asymmetry with respect to undermining people's trust in democratic institutions.

In this regard, she mentioned the Digital Communication Network (DCN) established by the United States.

It may be noted that the DCN is a network of more than 8,000 journalists, educators, communicators, new media professionals, and public officials who are working to combat disinformation and propaganda.

The network develops and shares tools that provide people with accurate information and fact-checking capabilities.

She concluded by stating that the United States is working on developing, strengthening, and integrating more such networks across the Indo-Pacific region to promote media literacy, popularize fact checking, and support press freedom.

Adrian Pratt, Director, American Center Kolkata, highlighted the role of digital technology in bolstering people's access to information in real time from across the globe.

However, he also pointed out its misuse by certain elements to spread misinformation and to harass journalists, especially women journalists.

Bipul Chatterjee, Executive Director, CUTS, underlined the issue of information literacy among journalists as a critical step for combating mis/ disinformation.

He underlined the need for disseminating correct information about the US-led initiative of building an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).

He mentioned that often the IPEF is viewed solely as a tool for extending market access by the U.S.Such incomplete narratives often overshadow the other pillars of the IPEF namely: regional security and climate change, he added.

He concluded by highlighting the role of CSOs in the Indo-Pacific region in creating information literacy among various stakeholder groups, including the media.

Nilova Roy Chaudhary, General Secretary, SAWM, shared challenges faced by women journalists in South Asia.

She mentioned that such challenges range from misogyny to trolling to misinformation.

She emphasised the need for establishing cross-border collaboration among women journalists in the Indo-Pacific region as a tool for combating the harassment of women journalists in the workplace.

Susan Kreifels, Media Programs Manager, East West Center, argued that combating misinformation is not a one-time exercise and requires long-term effort and investment.

She cited various reports indicating loss of people's trust in the media on account of misinformation and stressed the need to call out and prosecute actors who bombard society with misleading information.

The workshop is being attended by around 60 women journalists from different countries, including the US and countries in the Indo-Pacific region, such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, among others.

During the course of the workshop, discussions will be held on the threats and challenges women journalists face in their respective countries along with the good practices adopted to counter them.

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