A two-day fact-checking workshop focusing on combating the growing spread of misinformation in modern journalism concluded on Friday at the Cosmos Centre in Dhaka.

The training programme, organised by the Press Trust of India (PTI), one of India’s leading news agencies, in collaboration with the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), emphasised the critical role of accurate reporting in upholding the credibility of journalism.

Participants took part in interactive discussions and hands-on exercises to improve their skills in verifying facts and identifying misleading information.

Pratyush Ranjan, PTI’s Head of Digital Services and Fact Checking, and Abhinav Gupta, PTI’s News Editor, conducted the training sessions.

The sessions aim to enhance the skills of journalists at United News of Bangladesh (UNB), equipping them to identify and counter misinformation, disinformation and malformation in the news cycle.

On the second day (Friday), the sessions focused on the effective use of fact-checking tools to further empower journalists in upholding the sanctity of truth in news reporting.

The two-day training programme began on Thursday. UNB’s Editor-in-Chief Enayetullah Khan, Executive Editor Nahar Khan, Editor Mahfuzur Rahman, Senior News Editor Shayan S Khan, among others, attended the opening session.

Speaking on the occasion, Enayetullah Khan emphasised the need for rigorous fact-checking to uphold journalistic integrity in an era where digital platforms often amplify unverified information.

He said the rise of social media and rapid digital transformation has dramatically altered information dissemination, democratising access to news but also leading to an alarming surge in misinformation, disinformation and malformation.

Two-day fact-checking training begins at UNB

Nahar Khan said UNB’s decision to partner with PTI for this training reflects its dedication to maintaining the highest standards of journalism. “The challenge of combating misinformation today requires vigilance and skills. This fact-checking initiative reflects our commitment to countering falsehoods and protecting the integrity of our reporting at UNB,” she said.

With a history spanning 72 years, PTI stands as a paragon of trustworthy, unbiased journalism in India. Its fact-checking unit within its editorial department exemplifies the agency's commitment to accuracy and responsible reporting.

During Thursday’s training session, Pratyush Ranjan highlighted the tools and methodologies essential for effective fact-checking, while Abhinav Gupta discussed real-world applications in newsroom operations.