A two-day workshop on information manipulation, held on September 7 and 8, brought together 20 youth leaders from diverse backgrounds, including politics, media, and civil society at Bhedetar, Koshi Province, east Nepal.
The workshop aimed to equip these young participants with essential knowledge and skills to combat the growing challenge of information manipulation.
Organized by CMR-Nepal with support from the International Republican Institute (IRI), the workshop covered a range of topics. Participants delved into understanding information manipulation, its actors, contents, tactics, and vectors. They also explored the specific context and situation of Nepal in relation to information manipulation.
The workshop placed a strong emphasis on proactive and reactive interventions against information manipulation. Participants engaged in discussions and practical sessions focused on media and information literacy, as well as fact-checking. These skills are critical for identifying and countering false information in today’s information-rich environment.
One of the key highlights of the workshop was the collaborative effort of the participants in designing campaigns against information manipulation. These campaigns are expected to raise awareness and encourage critical thinking among the public regarding the information they consume.
The workshop was facilitated by Ujjwal Acharya and Umesh Shrestha, who brought their extensive knowledge and experience in the field of information manipulation to guide the participants.
By empowering these youth leaders with the tools and knowledge needed to combat information manipulation, this workshop has taken a significant step toward building a more informed and resilient society in Nepal. It is hoped that the insights gained from the workshop will ripple through various sectors, contributing to a more vigilant and discerning citizenry in the face of misinformation and manipulation.
In addition to the successful workshop in Koshi Province, CMR-Nepal and IRI have announced plans to extend their efforts in combatting information manipulation across Nepal. They will be organizing similar workshops in the remaining six provinces of the country.
By reaching out to youth leaders in various provinces, CMR-Nepal and IRI aim to build a network of informed and empowered individuals who can actively counter misinformation and manipulation in their respective regions.
