The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Hyderabad organised a one-day workshop titled “VARTALAP” in Sangareddy on Tuesday. The session focused on issues such as gender-based violence, government schemes for women, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in journalism. Around 130 journalists from print and electronic media participated in the programme, which began with a ceremonial lamp lighting.
Addressing the gathering, Additional Director General of PIB, Shruti Patil, highlighted PIB’s role in sharing accurate and official information across ministries. She noted that the PIB Fact Check Unit plays an important role in countering fake news, particularly in an era increasingly influenced by AI. She added that the VARTALAP workshop aims to help journalists improve their reporting standards by equipping them with modern tools and techniques to identify misinformation.
Sangareddy District Collector P. Pravinya, the chief guest, underlined the rising need for fact-checking in today’s digital environment. She warned that AI-generated content and misleading visuals can spread misinformation quickly, potentially causing panic and damaging public trust and the economy. She said such workshops are essential for helping journalists stay informed and enhance their professional skills.
Senior journalist Sajaya Kakarla spoke about gender sensitivity and government schemes for women. She stressed that gender equality should begin at home and that journalists have a responsibility to raise awareness on these issues through their work.
Another speaker, Satya Priya, demonstrated various AI tools used in journalism, including ChatGPT, NotebookLM, Google Pinpoint, ElevenLabs, and Gemini AI. She encouraged journalists to use these technologies responsibly to improve reporting accuracy and identify misinformation, while also cautioning against sharing sensitive or personal data on such platforms.
The workshop concluded with an interactive session, where participants raised questions and shared feedback. Responding to queries, the ADG assured that the suggestions would be conveyed to the Ministry and also mentioned that the government is implementing welfare measures and assistance schemes for journalists.
Source : PIB
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