Kathmandu, 28 February 2025: The four-day SACHI: Seeking Authenticity by Challenging Mis/Disinformation bootcamp successfully concluded today in Kathmandu with 30 journalists, social media influencers, and content creators from across Nepal committing to produce reliable content to counter misinformation and disinformation.
Supported by the Direct Aid Program (DAP) of the Australian Government and implemented by the Youth Innovation Lab, the bootcamp equipped participants with critical fact-checking skills, media literacy techniques, and ethical storytelling practices. These tools are essential for navigating the complex challenges posed by the modern information landscape, particularly misinformation and disinformation.
During the opening ceremony, Greg Klemm, Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Nepal, highlighted the transformative impact of emerging technologies on media. With AI and social media, the rapid spread of false information presents unprecedented challenges. It is imperative that we equip media professionals and content creators with the skills needed to discern and counteract this trend, Klemm further said.
Santosh Chhetri, Board Director of Youth Innovation Lab, reflected on how misinformation impacts generations differently, sharing personal stories from his family. Misinformation is not a new phenomenon; it has simply evolved. What once spread through word of mouth in villages now proliferates at lightning speed across digital platforms, he remarked.
The program featured interactive sessions on AI-generated misinformation, ethical content creation, and storytelling, along with practical exercises in fact-checking and bias identification. These activities were designed to prepare participants for the challenges of digital content creation in an age where misinformation and disinformation can quickly become viral.
The bootcamp culminated in participants presenting their content strategies designed to actively combat misinformation and disinformation, demonstrating the practical application of the skills they acquired.
Facilitators for the bootcamp included Nasana Bajracharya, Deepak Adhikari, Santosh Chhetri, Rukamanee Maharjan, and Dipesh Tripathi. The initiative is expected to enhance the integrity and reliability of the digital media landscape in Nepal.
For further information, contact
Youth Innovation Lab
Bashidhar Marga, Kathmandu Nepal
Phone: +977 9851115919
Email: [email protected]
Immediate Contact
Rohit Dahal, Program Outreach and Communications Officer, +977 9802344220
Email: [email protected]
Rashmi Bhujel, Program Associate, +977 9860479664
Email:[email protected]
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