Speakers at a workshop on Tuesday highlighted the dangers of fake news and misinformation noting that these are severe deterrence to the progress of any nation.
They also highlighted the importance for individuals to know how to discern fake news from authentic ones, especially for the youth.
The workshop titled, ‘Developing a Critical Understanding against Fake News & Disinformation’, was held in a hotel in the city on Tuesday.
"Society has evolved at a rapid pace in the last decade but so have the methods of producing fake news. Key information such as the legitimacy of the COVID-19 vaccine is put under question due to propaganda," said Shafqat Munir, Research Fellow of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) at the BIPSS workshop.
“The most prioritized target audience of misinformation is the youth. They are a vulnerable population and it is important for us to make sure they can distinguish between what is authentic and what is fake”, said Munir.
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He said that the impact of misinformation is absolutely pervasive and it touches all sectors of society. This can lead to massive security implications and result in social destabilization.
The interactive workshop was attended by young professionals, students and youth representatives from various disciplines.