Tripoli: The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) has introduced the “Basirah” program, a new initiative to enhance the skills of Libyan media professionals in the field of artificial intelligence. The program officially begins today with the aim of fortifying the professional capacities of journalists across the country.
According to Libyan News Agency, the Basirah program kicks off with a digital workshop led by Pamela Kesrouani, a teaching fellow at the Google News Initiative in the Middle East and North Africa. The workshop will focus on how journalists can leverage artificial intelligence to enhance the quality of their reporting and research.
The program, spanning over the next two months, will feature sessions with notable international experts from institutions such as Cambridge University and the Committee to Protect Journalists. These sessions will cover a range of topics, including the influence of artificial intelligence on politics and democracy, news verification tools, media manipulation during conflict, and strategies for protection against online harassment.
Hannah Tetteh, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, emphasized the crucial role journalists play in stabilizing Libya. She highlighted the importance of the Basirah program in providing essential technical training that supports journalists in raising public awareness, combating misinformation, and holding leaders accountable.