Sharjah: The Sharjah Press Club (SPC), affiliated with the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), held a training workshop at the House of Wisdom on Monday, in collaboration with Sky News Arabia, to develop journalists’ skills in fact-checking, storytelling, and the use of artificial intelligence.

The workshop, “Modern Journalism: Fact-Checking, Storytelling, and Artificial Intelligence”, was attended by SPC members and journalists. It covered different stages of the reporting process, from news gathering and verification to storytelling, breaking news, and the use of AI in journalism.

Participants were trained to check information from different sources, identify misinformation, and choose the most suitable angle for a story. They also explored how new technologies can make newsroom operations more efficient.

Adapting to a changing industry

His Excellency Tariq Saeed Allay, Director General of SGMB, said developing the skills of media professionals is essential as the industry undergoes rapid change.

He noted that journalists need to adapt to these changes while maintaining the fundamentals of their profession, particularly accuracy, credibility, and professionalism.

“The rapid changes in the media industry are creating new responsibilities for journalists. They need advanced research, editorial, and technical skills to manage the increasing flow of information from multiple sources and integrate the latest technologies, including AI, into their work within clear professional standards,” Allay emphasised.

He added that SPC’s programmes provide practical training that helps media professionals work effectively as the way journalism is produced and consumed continues to evolve.

Finding and telling the story

The training covered how to follow news across digital platforms and social media, identify reliable sources, and apply different research methods to check information.

Participants learned how to distinguish verified information from rumours and how to deal with misleading content or material presented out of context. The programme also addressed the pressure to report quickly without compromising accuracy.

The storytelling component focused on writing a news story, from identifying the main idea and selecting an angle to developing strong headlines, introductions, and a clear narrative.

Journalists were also guided on how to organise and present information clearly and accurately, while avoiding exaggeration and conclusions that are not supported by the facts.

For breaking news, the focus extended to working with limited or incomplete information, making editorial decisions, preparing for interviews, and ensuring accuracy as events develop under tight deadlines.

AI in journalism

The workshop showed how AI can be applied for research, generating story ideas, planning content, organising information, and preparing interview questions.

Participants were introduced to tools used in newsrooms and the areas where they can save time during reporting and production.

Trainers also addressed the risks of using AI in journalism, reinforcing the need to verify its output while ensuring that editorial responsibility remains with journalists, including decisions over what information to include and what to publish.

Throughout the workshop, participants took part in exercises that allowed them to apply the skills they had learned. It concluded with “From News to Stories”, which challenged them to gather and verify information, select an angle and produce a concise news story.

The workshop is part of SPC’s wider programme for media professionals, creating opportunities for members to share expertise and explore the latest developments in journalism.