Jennifer Larson, the Consul General of the US Consulate Hyderabad, highlighted the global challenge of disinformation, which undermines democracies, and urged journalists to remain vigilant. She made these remarks during the keynote address at the closing session of the “Countering Disinformation for Urdu TV journalists” training project held at the Salar Jung Museum’s auditorium.
Larson emphasized that democracy relies on a free and open press and that accurate information is essential to safeguard the democratic process. She noted that without correct information, the press cannot effectively fulfill its role.
During the event, DGP Anjani Kumar urged journalists to play a responsible role in preventing the spread of fake news. He urged people not to engage in the uncritical forwarding of messages, emphasizing the potential negative impact of unverified information on society and potentially inciting violence.
The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Osmania University, in collaboration with the US Consulate General Hyderabad, organized the eight-month-long training program. A total of 37 Urdu journalists successfully completed the training and received certification.
The training aimed to empower Urdu journalists with fact-checking skills, tools, and techniques to counter misinformation in mainstream media. The program involved 40 hours of training in blended mode, with participation from 35 TV journalists from Urdu channels and digital platforms. Around 30% of the participants were women journalists, and eight students from the Maulana Azad National Urdu University also took part.
Various experts from across the country conducted lectures and workshops for the participants. The event included presentations of mementos to Consul General Jennifer Larson, DGP Anjani Kumar, and Prof. Stevenson Kohir, the Head of the Department of Journalism, by representatives of the Telangana State Urdu Working Journalists TUWJF.
The Students who passed out the Fact Check course have specially thanked Sudhakar Reddy Udumula Editor-Investigation, Times of India, and other faculties.
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