Myanmar

Election reporting: Fact-based and fair coverage

A new parliament is to be elected in Myanmar at the end of 2020 - the second general elections since the country embarked on a road to democracy. DW Akademie is training local media on election reporting.

DW Akademie Faktencheck Workshop in Myanmar 2019

Workshop participants check the map to see which party won which constituency

"This is practice – it's not actually happening!" explained Emma Dobinson and Pedro Noel as they kicked off the simulation exercise. The two trainers are from First Draft, the leading non-profit international network that combats disinformation. The mixed teams of journalists and fact-checkers were in the midst of a mock crisis scenario just ahead of Myanmar's general elections scheduled for the end of 2020. Rumors and disinformation were buzzing around the room as the teams tried to determine the facts and share them on Facebook as quickly as they could to inform the public. First Draft has redesigned these simulations so that they are more than just practicing how to verify false reports. "Participants learn how to work together and communicate with each other so they can get ahead with their stories and then present them to the audience in the right format, for the right audience and at the right time," Dobinson continued. "They did a great job today!" she added.

A need for cooperation and technology

Indonesia and the Philippines are leading the way as both countries already have successful co-operations between different media houses and civil society groups. Fact-checking networks such as Cekfakta and Tsek.ph aim at a joint approach to disinformation. Could that be a suitable model for Myanmar, too?

"Cooperation between media and civil society is becoming more natural," said Soe Lin Htoot of the non-governmental organization Myanmar Fifth Estate.

While it was clear during the training that verification tools are not an alternative to solid election reporting, they are very helpful. As a result, the Myanmar fact-checkers will be using Truly Media, DW's own verification platform, in the election year.

Election reporting: Fact-based and fair coverage

Countering disinformation in social media: We need to cooperate

Fighting manipulation in social networks is a global challenge, especially during election campaigns. Members from Indonesian and The Philippines fact-checking networks had also been invited to DW Akademie's "Election Fact-checking Lab". Their media houses and civil society groups have been cooperating in the fight against disinformation for several years now.
Election reporting: Fact-based and fair coverage

Progress through technology: In the service of truth

In the run-up to the lab, DW Akademie had offered two trainings in Yangon on the latest verification tools. It included success stories. Participants had sharpened their critical approach to sources in social networks and practiced together with international experts how to detect manipulations of videos or find out when and where a photo had been taken.
Election reporting: Fact-based and fair coverage

Improving the tried and tested: Training for journalists

New verification technologies are not an alternative to solid election coverage in traditional media but they do complement it. DW Akademie and the Myanmar Journalism Institute (MJI) have together trained trainers who will be offering nationwide training on election reporting over the next several months. Here a live election broadcast is simulated.
Election reporting: Fact-based and fair coverage

Knowing how to cover an election

Using different colored flags, journalists marked the constituencies won by different parties in the last elections. Sharing knowledge about the electoral system, the parties and the election commission was as much a part of the training as were tips for innovative, in-depth stories and role-playing.
Election reporting: Fact-based and fair coverage

Quality journalism: Fact-based reporting as an advantage

The British journalist Ali Fowle (left) has lived in Myanmar for many years and developed the practical course with MJI lecturers. There is a great demand, and some 100 people applied for the first workshop. "You're now experts," said MJI Director Kyaw Min Swe (right) praising the participants . "You're now one step ahead of your competitors in an election year!"
Election reporting: Fact-based and fair coverage

Truly Media: Verification instead of disinformation using the DW platform

DW Akademie trainers Bertram Hill and Myriam Redondo (center) demonstrated verification tools to journalists. The Myanmar fact-checkers will be able to use Truly Media, DW's own verification platform, during the elections in 2020. Six organizations have already expressed their interest.

Author: Thomas Bärthlein, Heidi Walsh