Media Literacy Programme Concludes In Addu City

The Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts has concluded the “I Am A Journalist” programme in Addu City this week, marking the third instalment of the nationwide initiative aimed at strengthening media literacy across the atolls.

The three-day training concluded with a ceremony that recognised 37 participants representing local councils, government agencies, and regional online media outlets.

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The national programme is designed to enhance understanding of the rapidly evolving media landscape, offering academic-level training to provincial journalists, broadcast professionals, civil society representatives, and local government officials.

A key objective of the initiative is to promote public awareness about misinformation and the dangers of false news, with the broader goal of nurturing a new generation of informed and responsible media practitioners.

Training sessions covered a range of essential topics, including Dhivehi language rules, the fundamentals of investigative reporting, and practical strategies for verifying the authenticity of online content. Participants were also introduced to the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence, with an emphasis on preventing the spread of digital falsehoods.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Addu City Mayor Ali Nizar reflected on the transformative impact of digital media, highlighting that social media now enables individuals to reach wider audiences than ever before. He underscored the growing influence of social media users, noting that responsible communication is vital in the modern information age.

Participants from across Addu reported that the sessions equipped them with valuable knowledge about accurate information dissemination, the importance of countering misinformation, and the linguistic foundations necessary for effective and responsible communication.