The Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Manipur, organised a one-day workshop on “Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Journalism and Media Fact-Checking” today at the DIPR Auditorium, DIPR Complex, Imphal.
The workshop was graced by Secretary, Information and Public Relations (IPR), Government of Manipur, Hungyo Worshang, IAS, as Chief Guest and Director, IPR, Government of Manipur, Dr. Th. Charanjeet Singh, MCS, as President.
Speaking as the Chief Guest, Hungyo Worshang stated that journalism is fundamentally about gathering accurate information and disseminating it responsibly to the public. However, with the rapid expansion of social media and digital platforms, the manner in which people consume news has changed significantly. He added that the resource persons invited for the workshop had been appropriately selected to address the growing relevance of Artificial Intelligence in journalism.
The Chief Guest further stated that technological advancements cannot be resisted and that media professionals should learn to effectively manage and utilise AI. He highlighted that AI can assist journalists in data analysis, information verification and various other journalistic tasks. However, he stressed that the role of journalists remains indispensable, particularly in verifying facts and ensuring the authenticity of information.
Delivering the Key Note Address, Director, IPR, Dr. Th. Charanjeet Singh stated that the workshop had been organised for members of the journalists’ fraternity from various media houses as well as concerned government officials with the objective of enhancing and updating their knowledge on the application of Artificial Intelligence in journalism. Highlighting the challenges of the digital era, he emphasized the importance of responsible AI usage and requirements of verification and fact checking information obtained from social media and other online sources. He also expressed concerned over the rise of deep fake and AI generated misinformation, stressing that journalist must remain vigilant to safeguard the credibility and integrity of journalism.
In the technical session, Dr. Haobam Joyremba Singh, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Cube Ten Technologies Pvt. Ltd., delivered a presentation on “AI: Myth and Reality.” He highlighted the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence, addressed common misconceptions surrounding AI technologies, and explained their practical applications in various sectors, including journalism and media.
Dr. Hanjabam Saratchandra, Head of the Department of Computer Science, Manipur Technical University, spoke on “Foundations of AI in Journalism and Misinformation.” He elaborated on the role of AI in news gathering, content creation and dissemination, while also discussing the challenges posed by misinformation and the importance of responsible use of AI tools in the media landscape.
Dr. Angom Buboo Singh, Academic Head, NIELIT, delivered a session on “AI-Powered Newsroom Productivity and Verification.” He demonstrated how AI-driven tools can enhance newsroom efficiency, streamline content production processes and assist journalists in verifying information to ensure accuracy and credibility in news reporting.
The workshop was attended by journalists from various media organisations, officials of the Department and media professionals. Resource persons conducted technical sessions on the application of Artificial Intelligence in journalism and media fact-checking, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of AI in contemporary media practices.