Technology and Data Journalism: Key Takeaways
- AI is Not a Threat but an Assistant, Says Rehan
- Master Fact-Checking and Data Science for AI-Driven Reporting
KARACHI: – In a bid to empower journalists with modern skills and enhance their professional capabilities, the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) organized a training workshop at the Karachi Press Club on Saturday. The workshop focused on “Fact-Checking and Artificial Intelligence (AI),” witnessed a significant turnout of journalists, content creators, and students, reflecting the growing importance of these topics in the media industry.
Inaugurating the session, Mr. Tahir Hasan Khan, President of KUJ, emphasized the union’s commitment to improving journalists’ professional and economic well-being. “It is our top priority to equip journalists with new skills that can ensure both their professional growth and financial stability,” he remarked.
KUJ General Secretary, Sardar Liaquat, lauded the efforts of the Social Media and Skill Development Committee, underlining the importance of ongoing training initiatives. “This workshop is an excellent initiative, and I sincerely hope the committee will continue this valuable work,” he said, adding that the event was made possible by the dedicated efforts of workshop coordinator, Ali Imran Jr. “Congratulations to Ali Imran for organizing such a timely and relevant session,” Liaquat stated.
The workshop was led by renowned journalist, entrepreneur, and media consultant Rehan Hyder. In his session, Rehan underscored the crucial role of fact-checking in journalism. “Fact-checking is the backbone of our profession,” he explained. “As journalists, it’s our responsibility not to take anything at face value. Even if someone asks for the time, we should double-check before answering—accuracy is that important.”
Rehan further delved into artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing the need for journalists to grasp the basics of data science and data journalism first. “AI is essentially built on data sets,” he noted, stressing that a deep understanding of data is key to harnessing the full potential of AI in journalism.
Throughout the session, Rehan introduced participants to various tools and techniques for verifying images, videos, and text. He also shared resources available online that assist in fact-checking, offering practical advice on how to incorporate these methods into everyday journalistic practices.
In response to a question on AI’s role in the newsroom, Rehan explained, “Generative AI is like an assistant—it’s there to help, but we need to learn how to use it effectively. This process, called prompt engineering, is key. AI isn’t a threat to journalism, but our refusal to adapt could be.” He stressed that while AI can greatly assist with tasks, journalists must remain in control of their work and not become overly dependent on the technology.
The workshop concluded with a lively Q&A session, where participants expressed their enthusiasm for further training. Many requested that KUJ continue organizing such workshops in the future.
Certificates were distributed among participants at the end of the session, with several notable figures in attendance, including prominent journalist and analyst Mazhar Abbas, former Presidents of Karachi Press Club Nizamuddin Siddiqui and Imtiaz Khan Faran, and former Secretary Aamir Latif.
The event served as a significant step in bridging the gap between traditional journalism and the digital tools necessary for today’s media landscape, reinforcing the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the evolving world of journalism.
This workshop is expected to pave the way for more training opportunities, ensuring that journalists remain well-equipped to tackle the challenges of the digital era.