LAHORE: Punjab University Assistant Professor Dr Khurram Shehzad conducted a specialised workshop at Bielefeld University in Germany on identifying fake news and misleading content, highlighting a scientific model developed through his doctoral research.
The workshop was organised at the invitation of Bielefeld University and was attended by university researchers, research assistants, as well as undergraduate and master’s students.
Dr Shehzad presented a research-based approach for detecting fake news and propaganda, explaining a model developed around 11 scientific indicators to help assess potentially misleading content.
As part of the workshop, social media misinformation related to migration in Germany was examined as a case study. Participants were introduced to practical methods for evaluating online claims and distinguishing potentially false or misleading information from credible content.
Dr Aktschel, who participated in the workshop, highlighted the potential impact of inaccurate and unverified information on public perceptions and policy discussions surrounding migration. He also noted that the ability to identify propaganda and misleading material using systematic methods is important for understanding and addressing social issues.
The workshop also included a detailed question-and-answer session, during which students discussed different aspects of fake-news detection and asked questions about practical verification techniques.
Dr Shehzad said stronger academic links between universities in Pakistan and Germany could help researchers better understand shared challenges and contribute to developing solutions. He also acknowledged efforts to strengthen relations between the two countries.
The workshop provided an opportunity to introduce Dr Shehzad’s research on scientific approaches to misinformation detection to an international academic audience, while encouraging greater awareness of responsible information verification in the digital age.