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Journalistic work and information verification(fact-checking) in social networks and digital spaces requires a critical analysis that allows for a renewed and updated view. Spaces and formats have changed, as have practices and actors. The social component of interactions has lost relevance in the face of the recommendation of algorithms and the incremental imperatives of the attention economy. All this, moreover, must be placed in the context of an accelerated and uncertain development of Artificial Intelligence and synthetic content.

This is why Linterna Verde, with the support of the U.S. Embassy and in partnership with the Foundation for Freedom of the Press (FLIP), invites journalists, researchers and fact-checkers to register for the workshop 'Journalism and the attention economy: challenges of coverage in the digital environment', which seeks to equip participants with tools, resources and practical skills to address the challenges presented by the attention economy, disinformation and online manipulation for today's journalism. 

In addition to strengthening the research and analytical capacity to approach complex phenomena in the digital environment, the workshop seeks that participants put into practice the knowledge acquired to develop stories, verifications and interpretative pieces, with the support of Linterna Verde.

Important dates

The training space will take place in five cities in Colombia between April and May 2024 and will include the participation of workshop participants and journalists who are experts in areas such as disinformation and synthetic content, attention economy and content moderation. 

The date and time of each workshop are listed below:

• Cali. Tuesday, April 23rd from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 m. 
• Medellín. Thursday, April 25 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 m. 
• Santa Marta. Tuesday, May 7 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 m. 
• Cúcuta. Thursday, May 9 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 m. 
• Bogotá. Tuesday, May 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 m. 

Who can participate in the workshop? 

This call is aimed at journalists, researchers and fact-checkers with previous experience in covering the digital public conversation - on topics such as disinformation, online manipulation, artificial intelligence, social media trends, among others - who have published public interest content in independent media or digital tribunes.

We encourage to participate in this space especially to those who: 

• They are actively involved in covering digital and social issues, with a focus on the intersection between technology and democracy.
• They are conducting research or have a special interest in investigating a specific phenomenon of digital public debate in their region.
• They want to acquire more skills and knowledge from colleagues and experts and connect with a wider network of journalists and researchers. 
• They have availability of time to participate in the workshop on the date and time indicated. 
• They are willing, if selected, to work on the research and development of a story with the accompaniment of Linterna Verde. 

How is the space designed?

This is a theoretical and practical workshop that will be carried out in a single session of four (4) hours. It will take as a starting point the collective study of publications and previous material -proper and third party- as a horizon of good practices and problematic coverage.

With these inputs, the theoretical modules and the proposal of practical exercises will be developed through mentoring. This last element will consist of the planning and execution of journalistic and public interest pieces that implement the lessons learned and lead to content for publication and dissemination.

One research proposal will be selected from each workshop and will receive technical support from experts at Linterna Verde and an assigned editor who will accompany the process from its inception to publication. 

The main topics to be addressed in the session are: 

• Exploration of techniques to critically evaluate information in social networks and other digital spaces.
• Approaching the conversation about access, interpretation, and understanding the ethical and practical limits on the use of data for journalism.
• Influence of the attention economy and algorithms on content consumed and shared on digital platforms .
• Approach to content moderation, especially the rules on synthetic content and disinformation.
• Strategies to identify and counteract disinformation, manipulation and synthetic content online.

Finally, a collaborative network for journalists will be created. It is expected that participants will be able to exchange information, resources and best practices to advance the challenges presented by the attention economy, disinformation and online manipulation for today's journalism. 

Register here*👇

*Please note that registration does not represent an automatic place in the workshop. Those selected will be notified via email at the close of the call.

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