The Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of Goswami Ganesh Dutta Sanatan Dharma College, Chandigarh organised an online training session on ‘Photo and Video Verification’ today. Ms. Archana Kumari, certified Google Trainer and Assistant Professor, Department of Mass Communication and New Media, Central University of Jammu, was the resource person on the occasion.
Interacting with students, Ms. Archana explained, “The younger generation gets most of its news from social media but these digital platforms also spread misinformation.
Fake videos and photos can polarise society, mislead people, create panic and support unwanted stereotypes. There have been instances of fake information being spread on various platforms which have led to hate crimes and mob violence.”
Ms. Archana explained that cheap data plans have allowed more people to access online content. Further, news rooms are reducing staff and less investment is being done on training of journalists.
Suggesting solutions to counter the challenge, she explained, “One can simply search for the key words in google for fact checking. Further, tools like Reverse Image Search and Google Fact Check Explorer are vey useful.”
Dr. Priya Chadha, Head, Department of Journalism thanked the resource person for sensitising the students on the challenging issue of misinformation being spread today through photos and videos.
