Consul General of US Consulate General, Kolkata Melinda Pavek on Thursday emphasised the role of free and independent media as the cornerstone of a healthy democracy.
She was speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day media workshop for women journalists from the Indo-Pacific region on their roles in countering misinformation and disinformation in the region.
The workshop was organised by the US Consulate General Kolkata in partnership with Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) International with support from South Asian Women in Media (SAWM) and East West Center (EWC) at Lincoln Room, American Centre, 38 A, JL Nehru Road Kolkata.
She cautioned against the adverse impacts of the asymmetry of information and its potential to derail the people’s trust in democratic institutions. In this regard, she mentioned the Digital Communication Network (DCN) established by the United States.
The DCN is a network of more than 8,000 journalists, educators, communicators, new media professionals, and public officials who are working to combat disinformation and propaganda, she said.
The network develops and shares tools that provide people with accurate information and fact-checking capabilities, she said.
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She concluded by saying that the United States is working on developing, strengthening, and integrating more such networks across the Indo-Pacific region to promote media literacy, popularize fact checking, and support press freedom.
Executive director of CUTS International Bipul Chatterjee underlined the issue of information literacy among journalists as a critical step for combating misinformation and disinformation.
He underlined the need for disseminating correct information about the U.S led initiative of building an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). He mentioned that often the IPEF is viewed solely as a tool for extending market access by the US.
Such incomplete narratives often overshadow the other pillars of the IPEF namely: regional security and climate change, he added.
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He concluded by highlighting the role of the Civil Society Organisations in the Indo-Pacific in creating information literacy among various stakeholder groups, including the media.
As many as 60 women journalists from countries such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore took part in the workshop. From Manipur, four women journalists took part at the event. They are staff reporter of Imphal Free Press Phurailatpam Keny Devi, staff reporter of The People's Chronicle Longjam Arishrona; associate editor of IMPACT TV Joyshree Usham; and staff reporter of Echel Express Waikhom Chitradhani.
