Opening of a training course on fact-checking in partnership between the Anti-Corruption Authority and Witness Center.
The Anti-Corruption Authority, in collaboration with Witness Center for Citizen Rights and Community Development, inaugurated today, Monday, November 28, 2022, a training course entitled “Combating Corruption Based on Fact-Checking.” The opening ceremony was attended by the head of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, Mr. Nasser Abu Bakr, and included the participation of a group of media students from various Palestinian universities.
Ms. Rasha Amarna, an advisor to the President of the Authority, stated that all members of society have a role in anti-corruption efforts, highlighting the complex role of journalists, who bear responsibility as both citizens and media professionals. She stressed the importance of journalists in promoting integrity, governance concepts, and anti-corruption efforts.
Amarna noted that since its establishment, the Authority has recognized the importance of strengthening its relationship with journalists at all levels, which aligns with the international convention against corruption.
She explained that the training course would address several important topics to help young journalists fulfill their responsibilities related to raising awareness about integrity, transparency, and creating an environment resistant to corruption in all its forms.
Mr. Kayed Ma’ari, director of Witness Center, emphasized the importance of enhancing the relationship between the Center and the Anti-Corruption Authority to assist journalists in fact-checking corruption-related news before dissemination. This contributes to curbing rumors that may undermine national efforts to promote integrity and transparency in Palestinian society.
Nasser Abu Bakr highlighted the importance of the topics covered in this course, pointing out that major international news agencies have their own fact-checking centers, which counteract numerous misinformation centers in our Arab region. He stressed the importance of working with youth, as the Youth Committee is one of the most important committees of the Journalists Syndicate, expressing gratitude to the Anti-Corruption Authority, Witness Center, and all those involved in preparing for this course.
Ms. Amarna delivered a presentation on misinformation as a tool to entrench corruption patterns in the law, explaining the concept of corruption and its various definitions. She emphasized the importance of recognizing the right to access information, which aids journalists in their work. This was reiterated by Mr. Muntasir Hamdan, Director of the Media, Protocol, and Translation Department at the Anti-Corruption Authority, in his presentation titled “The Right to Access Information as a Means to Counter Rumors.”
Mr. Shadi Zakarna, General Director of the Information Technology Department at the Authority, discussed digital security measures, highlighting the importance of protecting journalists’ digital information. Professor Thaer Nassar, a digital media and media expert at Al-Quds University, presented a talk on deepfakes and contextual manipulation mechanisms.
The course is scheduled to continue for two days, with the second day covering various topics and training sessions on the history and types of misinformation presented by the participating institution in Kashif Ms. Rهham Abu Aita, misinformation verification tools by Mr. Akram Al-Jariri, Hebrew media and image stereotyping presented by the Hebrew Monitoring Director at Kashif Observatory, Mr. Esamt Mansour.