Online Desk:  Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication, with the support from The Asia Foundation, kicked off the Inception phase of a two-part project titled Youth Resilient to Misinformation: Building Local Engagement and Media Development in Satkhira.

The first and second group took the training on February 18 and 19 which was held in the hall of Radio Nalta while the last group will attend the training about misinformation tomorrow.

A total of 108 youth and women participants from Tarali and Champaful union of the Kaliganj Upazilla from Sathkhira are taking the training in three groups.

The training workshop was conducted by Rehan Uddin Ahmed Raju, Communication Specialist and Minhaz Uddin, Assistant Professor Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Jagannath University.

Program Manager Taherul Islam and Program Associate Sanjida Akhter were present on behalf of The Asia Foundation. Selim Sharier, Station Manager of Radio Nalta was present on behalf of Radio Nalta while CEO of BNRC AHM Bazlur Rahman and Programme Co-ordinator Hiren Pandit led the team.

Speakers said in today’s Bangladesh where digital transmission is advancing in leaps and bounds, the dangers of misinformation and disinformation loom large from capital to rural areas. The youth and youth women need to be aware and alert of these dangers and prepare themselves accordingly, they emphasized.

Saying misinformation as a major threat to democracy, transparency, and security, they said it affects Bangladesh societies at different levels, in combating hate speech, discrimination, violence, and gender inequalities.

The project is a unique and innovative program utilizing Facebook holders as a hyper-local for galvanizing the energy and skills of youth and youth women to combat the growing misinformation on social and other media.