Tech Valley, in partnership with the Sindh Government and Google, has officially launched Digital Sahafat 2.0 in Karachi. Building on the success of its pilot program, the initiative is designed to empower journalists, government spokespersons, and media students through advanced digital skills training.
At the core of the program are 1,000 scholarships that will provide participants with hands-on training in cutting-edge tools and technologies. These include Google Lens, Google Advanced Search, Pinpoint, and NotebookLM—platforms aimed at helping media professionals conduct more efficient research, verify information, and produce credible, data-driven stories.
The launch event was hosted at the Chief Minister House in Karachi, where representatives from the Sindh Government, Tech Valley, Google, and the local media community gathered to mark the occasion. Officials highlighted the importance of equipping journalists with modern digital tools, particularly at a time when misinformation and disinformation present significant challenges to public trust in news.
Speaking at the event, Tech Valley representatives underscored the program’s mission of bridging the digital divide in journalism. They noted that Digital Sahafat 2.0 is not only about training individuals but also about fostering a culture of innovation and credibility in Pakistan’s media landscape. By ensuring access to world-class tools, the initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of journalists to verify facts, source reliable data, and use technology to enhance storytelling.
The Sindh Government expressed strong support for the program, emphasizing its potential to enhance media literacy and support democratic values through accurate reporting. Officials stressed that empowering journalists with digital competencies contributes to building a more transparent, accountable, and informed society.
For Google, the collaboration reflects its broader commitment to supporting media professionals worldwide in adapting to the digital age. By introducing Pakistani journalists and students to tools like Pinpoint—designed to help reporters quickly sift through large volumes of data—and NotebookLM—an AI-powered research assistant—Google aims to make investigative journalism more effective and accessible.
The Digital Sahafat initiative was first introduced as a pilot, and its expansion into Sindh represents a major milestone in scaling the program to reach more participants. According to Tech Valley, the scholarships will be distributed through an application process that ensures inclusivity and equal access, with a special focus on reaching young journalists and media students eager to build careers in digital reporting.
Observers note that the program comes at a critical time for Pakistan’s media sector. As the country’s digital economy grows, so too does the need for journalists who can navigate new technologies, address the risks of online misinformation, and adapt to changing audience behaviors. Training initiatives like Digital Sahafat 2.0 provide a pathway to strengthen the credibility and resilience of journalism in the digital age.
With its launch in Sindh, Digital Sahafat 2.0 positions itself as a cornerstone program for building the next generation of digitally savvy journalists in Pakistan—professionals who can leverage technology to inform, educate, and engage audiences responsibly.
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