In Kashmir’s Baramulla district, about 20 young girls from Gund Khawaja Qasim and nearby villages gather once or twice a month in a friendly space called Darbar in local parlance. Here, they share, interact, and discuss issues concerning them and their community.
This initiative was started by Maryam Yousuf, a Computer Applications graduate from Government Degree College Pattan, Baramulla. While the agenda for Darbar meetings is usually flexible, one October afternoon, before meeting with the girls, Yousuf had already decided on the topic – Media Literacy.
From a young age, Maryam dreamt of becoming a judge.
“Though I couldn’t fulfill my childhood dream because of financial constraints, I’ve always tried to raise my voice for my family and community,”
she shares. She actively works as a social activist continuously seeking to empower her community.
One day, Maryam discovered a FactShala workshop being led by trainer Afsana Rashid, focusing on media and information literacy, which intrigued her. The workshop proved to be an eye-opening experience for her in more ways than one. Maryam was aware of the dangers of misinformation, but it wasn’t until she attended the workshop that she fully understood its harm.
With the widespread availability of high-speed internet, social media has become an integral part of daily life, even in Jammu and Kashmir. The workshop shed light on how seemingly harmless actions, such as texting and forwarding on social media, can have damaging consequences. Above all else, she says that the training underscored a simple but often overlooked fact:
“Messages serve two purposes: they may be shared with good intentions to benefit others, or to start conflict, hatred, or strain relationships. It’s important to critically verify messages before sharing them using search engines, official websites, subject experts, or trusted acquaintances”.
Inspired by the wealth of knowledge she had gained and recognizing the importance of creating a safe information ecosystem in Kashmir and beyond, Maryam decided to share her learnings with as many people as possible. She thought if people could not attend the FactShala workshop, she should take it to them. Her reason was simple:
“People often trust and forward online content without verification. With media and information literacy, they can use social media responsibly and avoid falling prey to cyber crimes.”
With motivated and bright young women, the Darbar group offered an ideal platform for sharing this knowledge. One of the reasons why the group was formed was to address the challenges posed by the easy accessibility and availability of mobile connectivity, which can sometimes lead to a disconnect among families and friends. Yousuf understood the need to provide a safe space where these girls could freely express themselves, easing their worries and anxieties. So, she anticipated that the topic would resonate strongly with them, and also teach them something new and useful.
A casual Darbar gathering served as a catalyst for Maryam to create a ripple effect of media literacy. She shared tips, tricks, and various tools for identifying misinformation. She also emphasized the importance of paying attention to details in text messages to protect yourself against online fraud. She encouraged the girls to share this knowledge within their families, communities, and villages, thereby creating a culture of empowerment and protection.
Maryam, who has now integrated fact-checking into her social activism, is hopeful that educating people and encouraging them to share the importance of media literacy and the tips with at least one other person, will significantly contribute to creating a culture of empowerment and informed citizenship in Jammu and Kashmir, a place she calls home.