Fact-check before you break news: PIB trains journalists in AI tools
The Press Information Bureau (PIB), the nodal communication agency of the Government of India, conducted a one-day orientation programme for journalists on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in their field. The programme, held in Tirunelveli, was aimed at helping reporters make news stories and articles more lucid and engaging for readers.
Inaugurating the event, Tirunelveli Collector Anand Mohan appealed to journalists to verify facts thoroughly before conveying information to the public. He emphasised that reports of a sensational nature should be published only after meticulous cross-checking, instead of being rushed merely to “break” the news. The Collector observed that the growth of social media platforms had sharpened competition among media houses, and as a result, facts were increasingly taking a back seat. He said the media, as the fourth pillar of democracy, must exercise great caution when reporting developments that could potentially cause panic or public disorder.
Mr. Anand Mohan also cautioned participants against being deceived by AI-generated or deepfake images and videos, which often circulate incorrect or fabricated content. He made an appeal to journalists to promote positivity through their reporting in the district, which is witnessing development in several sectors.
Highlighting forthcoming opportunities, the Collector said land acquisition for SIPCOT industrial estates at Moolaikkaraipatti and Nanguneri was nearing completion. He expected these projects to create attractive job prospects for the local youth. He, therefore, asked young people to refrain from any unlawful conduct, as such behaviour could damage their chances of finding employment in these upcoming industrial ventures.
Superintendent of Police Vishwesh Balasubramaniam Shastri spoke about the police machinery’s campaign against drug abuse, tobacco use, and alcoholism among the youth. He further stated that cybercriminals based in other States or even other countries were increasingly exploiting gullible individuals through remote methods. He pointed out that the media could extend valuable support to law enforcement by creating public awareness about these threats. He said, “The media, joining hands with the police, has a greater role to play in creating awareness in this regard.”
The programme also featured technical presentations. A. Senthil Kumar, Director of the National Institute of Wind Energy, delivered a talk on twelve years of renewable energy growth in the country and the specific contribution of Tirunelveli’s wind corridor. N. Subramanian, Head, Incubation Centre, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam, addressed the gathering on harnessing nuclear science for clean power, medicine, and food security.
A session on the practical applications of AI tools was handled by Y.P. Habeeb Rahman, Assistant Professor in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Calicut. He provided hands-on training on using multiple AI platforms to enrich news reports with graphical elements, and also for fact-checking purposes. V. Palanichamy, Director General (In-Charge) of the PIB’s South Zone, delivered the keynote address.
Underlying the entire programme was the message that technology, when used responsibly, can enhance journalistic output. The officials and experts urged journalists to rely on verified information and to use AI tools as an aid to clarity, not as a substitute for editorial judgement.
