To combat misinformation and promote media integrity in Bangladesh, The Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) hosted a Fact-Checking Workshop on January 12, 2025, at a Hotel in Rajshahi.The workshop was organized under CGS’s initiative, “Defending Digital Spaces and Uniting Against Misinformation in Bangladesh,” as part of the Collaboration Lab program funded by the European Union and administered by Free Press Unlimited and ARTICLE19 Bangladesh and South Asia.

Theworkshop aimed to enhance journalists' skills in verifying information and addressing misinformation and disinformation in today’s digital landscape.

The event was inaugurated by Zillur Rahman, Executive Director of CGS.He emphasized the workshop’s importance in his opening remarks. He stated, “In today’s digital era, combating misinformation and propaganda is a significant challenge. This workshop will not only enhance journalists' fact-checking abilities but also support the media in fulfilling its responsible role. Our goal is to safeguard democratic values and ensure the progress of independent journalism based on accurate information.”

Qadaruddin Shishir, Fact-Checking Editor for Bangladesh at AFP, led the session, offering hands-on training on advanced fact-checking methods, tools, and verification techniques. Participants explored practical applications of these methods, learning how to integrate them into their reporting to uphold the accuracy and credibility of their work.

The workshop brought together journalists from national and regional media outlets, representatives of civil society, and social media influencers from the Rajshahi region. Participants described the training as timely and impactful. 

An additional event feature was a Focus Group Discussion (FGD), part of CGS’s ongoing study on the state of fact-checking in Bangladesh. Journalists shared their insights on challenges and opportunities in combating misinformation, contributing valuable data to CGS’s research initiatives.