Project Summary:

The “Strengthening Resilience Against Disinformation” project, logistically supported by The Asia Foundation, is launched to enhance the fact-checking capabilities of journalists and media outlets across Bangladesh. Through comprehensive capacity-building initiatives, the project will collaborate with at least 50 mainstream media outlets, including newspapers, TV channels, and online news portals. A key component of this effort involves increasing fact-checking literacy among journalists, aiming to significantly reduce the spread of disinformation and misinformation in mainstream media. Furthermore, the project will launch campus programs in leading educational institutions to extend its reach and increase broader awareness.

The project directly targets at least fifty journalists from each participating media outlet, with the potential to reach an even larger number due to expressed interest from media houses. While the indirect benefit is immeasurable, the project aims to encourage a more informed public discourse by increasing the accuracy and reliability of information disseminated through traditional media channels. Regular six-month reviews, which are a core part of the organization’s work, will track changes in the prevalence of misinformation within mainstream media, demonstrating the project’s impact over time.

Expected Outcomes

Enhanced Media Fact-Checking Capabilities: Journalists from approximately 50 media outlets, including newspapers, TV channels, and online news portals, will receive advanced training to enhance their fact-checking skills. This capacity building will significantly improve the accuracy of information disseminated by mainstream media, contributing to a more reliable news landscape.

Reduced Disinformation in Mainstream Media: Through increased fact-checking literacy among journalists, the project aims to substantially reduce the rate of disinformation and misinformation spread by mainstream media outlets. While a precise numerical target is challenging, the project is committed to minimizing its prevalence as much as possible, with progress monitored through regular organizational reviews of misinformation trends.

Increased Public Fact-Checking Literacy & Awareness: Campus programs at a leading educational institution will engage a wide range of students, facilitating greater awareness of disinformation and promoting critical information consumption. This initiative will contribute to building a more discerning public capable of identifying and resisting misinformation.

Strengthened Collaboration within the Media Sector: The project will foster stronger collaborative networks between Rumor Scanner and diverse media entities across Bangladesh. This will facilitate ongoing knowledge sharing and coordinated efforts to combat disinformation, strengthening the media’s collective resilience against false narratives.

Greater Information Integrity: By empowering journalists and engaging the public, the project will contribute to a media environment characterized by higher information integrity. This will ultimately lead to a more informed citizenry and a stronger democratic process, indirectly benefiting an immeasurable number of individuals across the country.