The Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR) successfully conducted a residential training for 10 female journalists on digital dictatorship, online threats and political representation on 8-9 June 2024 in Panadura.
The group explored representation, structural impediments, cultural restrictions, stereotypes, patriarchy and misogyny, gendered election disinformation and methods to combat online hate as part of their training.
With 2024 likely to be a year of multiple elections, journalists need to upgrade their skills when undertaking election reporting. With increasing political rivalry, election disinformation amplified by artificial intelligence and online hate, election reporting today has new challenges and complexities. This requires journalists to understand trends and to have essential skills in using tools for digital verification. In addition, old challenges such as representation, persistent stereotypes and systemic issues remain still.
The 10 journalists were selected through a competitive process and five of them secured CIR Reporting Fellowships based on merit. This is the first time a group of female journalists are undertaking research and reporting on gendered election disinformation, online threats and representation.
This program is part of CIR’s in-depth reporting initiative on electoral integrity.
The training was conducted by Dilrukshi Handunnetti, co-founder/ director, CIR. Anomaa Rajapkaruna, award-winning documentary filmmaker, curator, photographer and writer, served as the key resource person.
The program is supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF Sri Lanka).
