Digital Sahafat
A Training Initiative for Pakistani Journalists
Digital Sahafat, launched in 2024 is a program by the Google News Initiative, in partnership with Tech Valley, to equip journalists in Pakistan with the essential tools, training, and resources to produce accurate and engaging digital news stories. During its inaugural year, we successfully trained 40 master trainers and 1,000 journalists and journalism students, fostering a network of professionals and students.
The Google News Initiative has partnered with thousands of news organisations in more than a hundred countries over the years to provide tools, programs, and workshops that help publishers worldwide in boosting readership and revenue as they evolve their businesses. Through this partnership, Digital Sahafat aims to support Pakistani journalists and better equip these journalists with the skills necessary to combat misinformation, verify information, effectively leverage digital platforms, and enhance their digital reporting capabilities.
Who is the Program for
The program is primarily for journalists, journalism educators and journalism students. It offers a deep insight into working with various Google tools to help journalists combat misinformation, verify information, effectively leverage digital platforms, and enhance their digital reporting capabilities.
What are we Doing
Tech Valley selects journalists or journalism educators throughout the country to act as Master Trainers. These master trainers then participate in a 2-day training session conducted online by Google trainers, covering the following topics:
- Digital reporting skills
- Combating Misinformation
- Google's Resources for Journalists
These certified master trainers conduct additional training sessions to share their knowledge with a broader network of journalists. Tech Valley provides any support needed for the training sessions.
Digital Sahafat 2.0 is Launching Soon!
After the overwhelming success of our 2024 program, Digital Sahafat is evolving into a more impactful and dynamic program. We are expanding our reach and launching the 2025 cohort with advanced training, new modules on AI and a stronger network for journalists, policymakers and media students across Pakistan.
How can you sign up?
If you, your newsroom, educational institution, or media organization are interested in the program, this is your chance to be part of Google Network. The registration for Train the Trainer program will open in April 2025.
Each training session will last two days, with a total duration of two hours per day.
Stay tuned for more updates—keep an eye on our website and follow us on social media to be the first to know!
Why you should sign up?
The Master Trainer Program provides access to Google trainers and to learn from them about new tools and resources that can help journalists. In addition to this, master trainers will also:
- Receive Certification upon completion
- Be provided with a stipend to conduct additional trainings
- Become part of the Tech Valley Network, with access to more opportunities in the future
Registration is now open!
Join us for the second phase of our Digital Sahafat program and enhance your digital journalism skills. We are now offering general training sessions to a wider audience.
We cannot guarantee a time slot that works for you. Each training session is capped at 30 people. Note that training sessions will be conducted over two days, with two hours per day. Please ensure you can commit to this schedule.
Important: Due to high demand, we may prioritise candidates who:
- Have not participated in similar training before
- Identify as women or belong to minority groups
- Are journalists working and residing outside of major urban centres
Don’t miss this opportunity to level up your digital journalism skills.