The rapid integration of artificial intelligence across various industries, particularly in journalism, has brought both opportunities and challenges. Pathanamthitta District Collector Premkrishnan S. highlighted this significant shift during a recent event, stressing the vital role of responsible journalism. His remarks came at a time when misinformation and fake news are spreading at an unprecedented rate, making ethical reporting more crucial than ever.
Collector Premkrishnan S. inaugurated ‘Varthalap,’ a one-day media workshop hosted by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Thiruvananthapuram, specifically for journalists in the Pathanamthitta district. During his inaugural address, he strongly urged media professionals to prioritize rigorous fact-checking and to approach all news reporting with unwavering integrity and a profound sense of responsibility.
V. Palanichamy, Additional Director General of PIB Kerala–Lakshadweep Region, chaired the event and reiterated that fake news stands as one of the most critical societal challenges of our time. He acknowledged the difficulty many face in discerning genuine news from deliberate misinformation. Palanichamy also pointed out a common oversight: crucial developmental stories often struggle to gain sufficient coverage in mainstream media outlets.
The workshop also included a special felicitation for senior journalist Boby Abraham. Notable attendees included George Mathew, Deputy Director of PIB, and various office bearers from the Pathanamthitta Press Club, underscoring the collaborative spirit of the gathering.
Participants benefited from a series of expert-led sessions covering highly relevant contemporary topics. These included exploring AI tools for news reporting in the dynamic social media landscape, the principles of responsible journalism, understanding digital banking and precautions against online fraud, updates on Central government schemes, and strategies for combating cybercrime.