The Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) organized a Fact-Checking Training Workshop on July 27, 2025, at Agrabad Hotel, Chattogram. This workshop is part of CGS’s ongoing initiative to strengthen media integrity across all divisional cities in Bangladesh. A total of 25 journalists from national and local television, print, and online platforms participated, enhancing their skills to combat misinformation effectively.

In his opening speech, Zillur Rahman, President of CGS, emphasized the importance of identifying misinformation and reminded present journalists that Journalism is a respectable and challenging profession, Journalists must accept the hurdles of presenting verified news amid the chaos of Misinformation. “Misinformation and rumours have increasingly threatened public awareness and social stability since August 5, 2024,” he remarked. “This initiative reflects CGS’s commitment to fostering responsible journalism through fact-checking workshops nationwide, equipping professionals with essential tools for accurate reporting.”

Qadaruddin Shishir, Editor of Dissent and Former Fact-Checking Editor for AFP Bangladesh, led the workshop, providing practical training on advanced fact-checking techniques, tools, and verification methods. Participants engaged in interactive activities and learned how to integrate these skills into their daily reporting processes, enhancing their capacity to verify information accurately.

One female journalist commented, “Online harassment of women has become increasingly frequent, and fact-checking is now a vital tool to challenge false narratives targeting us. This training was highly relevant and empowering”. Another participating journalist noted, “Workshops like this should be held for a long period, not just in regional centers but also within each media house. It’s critical for building responsible journalism.”

During the session, journalists were introduced to CGS’s Fact-Checking Hub (www.factcheckinghub.com), a new platform designed to track and address misinformation in Bangladesh. The hub aggregates verified data from established fact-checking organizations, offering a centralized resource for media professionals.

This workshop was a component of CGS’s “Defending Digital Spaces and Uniting Against Misinformation in Bangladesh” program, aiming to promote responsible journalism and empower professionals to safeguard the country’s digital and civic spaces. CGS continues to lead efforts in combating misinformation, fostering collaboration, and enhancing media literacy nationwide.