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WPFD 2026 Side Event: Navigating AI Hallucinations & Conflict Misinformation
World Press Freedom Day is observed annually to underscore the imperative of safeguarding information as a public good. For the commemorations in 2026, the theme "Shaping a Future at Peace" was chosen by UNESCO
To mark the occasion, the Centre for Policy, in partnership with Boom Live, will host a workshop on 6 May 2026. The workshop will be held as a side event to the global commemorations convened under UNESCO’s auspices.
To learn more about UNESCO’s global commemorations, please visit UNESCO’s website via this link.
Hosted by: Centre for Policy in partnership with Boom Live
Date: 6 May 2026
Time: 2:00 P.M - 3:30 P.M IST
Format: In-person (Shillong, Meghalaya) and online
Speakers: Divya Chandra (Chief Programme Officer, Boom), Jade Lyngdoh (Director, Centre for Policy)
Overview: In high-stakes conflict zones, misinformation moves faster than fact-checkers can verify it. The emergence of Generative AI has introduced hallucinations, confidently presented but false information, that complicate real-time reporting. This workshop provides a practical framework for monitoring viral content, understanding the limitations of AI in crisis verification, and learning the frequently used digital forensic tools.
To register for this event, please complete the form below.
Why this event is important
The commemoration of WPFD 2026 in Meghalaya takes place at a moment when societies worldwide are confronting mounting challenges to the full realization of the right to freedom of expression and access to information. These challenges do not exist in isolation but within a broader polycrisis: the persistence of conflict in the region, exemplified by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Manipur; the exploitation of technological advancements in artificial intelligence by malicious actors to manipulate information, thereby eroding trust, shared understanding, and national security; the weakening of independent media due to societal and commercial pressures; and growing concerns over information reliability, with reports indicating that nearly 40% of media actors now use AI tools to generate or modify content.
Addressing these issues requires coordinated action by democratic actors: government, the press, and civil society. Failure to respond comprehensively risks exposing Meghalaya’s society to disinformation, polarization, manipulation, and violence, particularly in an environment where large segments of the population struggle to distinguish authentic from manipulated media. The repercussions extend beyond journalism, threatening the integrity of free and fair elections, the preservation of peace, and the reliability of trusted information in times of crisis. It is therefore imperative that we work collectively to build resilience and safeguard information as a public good.
To learn more about the broader context of these challenges, we recommend reading UNESCO's concept note for WPFD 2026 and its latest report, "World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development".