GATE Institute organised training for journalists from the Bulgarian National Television in the field of detecting disinformation.
From June 6 to 10, journalists were introduced to a number of tools and techniques for detecting fake news. The principles of fact-checking were discussed and tools and techniques such as archiving, advanced keyword search, reverse image search, and metadata were presented. The lecturers showed how to work with images and video (video search; means for detecting image manipulation; expert image analysis), geolocation (Google Maps, Google Earth; time and space travel) and research. The participants in the course were also acquainted with the ethical aspects and risks in the process of detecting disinformation.
Journalists from Agence France-Presse (AFP) Rosen Bosev (Vienna) and Robert Barça (Prague) were also invited as speakers. They presented the agency’s experience in fact-checking and detecting disinformation.
“I got acquainted with new tools and approaches in journalism, different from the usual ones I use every day. The lecturers presented the information in an understandable and attractive way. I would recommend the course to other colleagues, “said a participant in the training.
“We are extremely satisfied with the training and the commitment of the participants to the topics that were covered. This training confirms our significant contribution to capacity building in the field of fact-checking among various target groups and new interesting opportunities are yet to come, including a winter school for journalists and young researchers. With our next training event, we will have over 100 trained journalists, young researchers and trainers, “said Prof. Silvia Ilieva, Director of the GATE Institute.
Since 2021, the GATE Institute has been conducting research and training activities in the field of disinformation detection. Between July 2021 and May 2022, three training courses were held, which included 85 young researchers, library and community centre specialists from the Plovdiv and Pazardzhik regions with the participation of specialists from Sofia, Blagoevgrad and Ruse. The experience gained already positions GATE as an institution that successfully develops and provides specialized professional training for various target groups.
Prof. Ilieva joined the morning block of BNT on June 6, 2022, and the training of television specialists in the field of fact-checking was reflected in the central news of BNT 1 on June 10, 2022.