Session
Organizer 1: Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 1: Anriette Esterhuysen, Civil Society, African Group
Speaker 2: Osama Manzar, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Roslyn Kratochvil Moore, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)
Roundtable
Duration (minutes): 60
Format description: A roundtable will allow the attendees to have a more inclusive, interactive discussion, allowing diverse perspectives to share their insights. This will also allow open dialogue, collaborative problem-solving and real-time exchange of ideas. The duration is optimal for structured engagement, providing time for expert presentations, participant driven discussion, and actionable takeaways. This format also allows for amplifying unheard voices, have focused group discussion and facilitates the exchange of global best practices.
1. How can digital literacy initiatives be designed to effectively combat misinformation and disinformation in rural communities, considering linguistic and cultural diversities? 2. What policy frameworks and cross-sector collaborations are necessary to ensure the sustainability and scalability of community-driven fact-checking initiatives in marginalised regions? 3. How does misinformation disproportionately impact marginalizsd communities, including women and minority groups, and what policy interventions can mitigate these challenges?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Participants and attendees will gain new knowledge about the specific challenges misinformation poses in rural areas and how it differs from urban contexts. They will gain insights into the multi-pronged nature of misinformation, the development of knowledge products to counter local, contextual, and cultural fake news, and the impact of misinformation on minority castes, classes, and genders in Asian countries. The session will offer a diverse range of perspectives on digital literacy, fact-checking, and community-driven interventions while providing practical insights into empowering women and marginalized groups as fact-checkers. Additionally, attendees will develop an understanding of tools and methodologies used to counter misinformation effectively and have the opportunity to engage with experts, policymakers, and grassroots practitioners working in the field of digital rights and inclusion.
Description:
There is a considerable difference in the consumption of digital information in rural and urban India. According to the “India Inequality Report 2022: Digital Divide”, only 31 per cent of the rural population uses the internet, in contrast to 67 percent of their urban counterparts. The study has also shown that urban India is 12 to 14 per cent more likely to own a mobile phone than rural India. Due to the digital divide, there is a lack of credible mechanisms to tackle misinformation, disinformation, and influence operations. Research conducted by DEF has documented that the disinformation targeting rural communities is starkly different from the disinformation targeting urban communities in India. Within the rural context, the spread of misinformation mostly takes place through traditional community networks. Misinformation in rural contexts is used to restrict the mobility of women. This workshop explores the urgent need to combat misinformation and digital fraud in rural communities, with a particular focus on empowering women as fact-checkers. The session will highlight innovative community-driven approaches, best practices, and the role of digital literacy in ensuring access to credible information. It will showcase practical case studies from India, where rural women are being trained to identify, fact-check, and counter disinformation, ensuring safer digital experiences for marginalised populations.
1. Increased awareness about the rural digital divide and the need for localised fact-checking mechanisms. 2. Practical strategies and frameworks for training rural communities in digital literacy. 3. Strengthened collaboration between civil society, policymakers, and media organisations to tackle misinformation. 4. Documentation of best practices that can be replicated in other regions. 5. Development of a white paper summarising key insights, strategies, and policy recommendations derived from the session.
Hybrid Format: To ensure an engaging hybrid session at IGF 2025, we will implement a structured approach that fosters seamless interaction between onsite and online participants. A dedicated hybrid moderator will facilitate balanced engagement, ensuring both audiences have equal opportunities to contribute. Live polling and Q&A tools like Slido or Mentimeter will enable real-time participation, while speakers will alternate between addressing in-person and virtual attendees. The session will be designed for an optimal experience by incorporating pre-event surveys to tailor discussions, structured interventions for remote participants, and a dynamic visual setup with split-screen views. Interactive elements such as breakout discussions, collaborative whiteboards (Miro/Padlet), and real-time chat prompts will enhance engagement. In addition to IGF’s technical tools, complementary platforms like Zoom/WebEx for breakout rooms, live polling apps, and social media channels will be utilised to maximise interaction.