On Thursday, October 8, 2026, the Department of Media at Cihan University–Erbil, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Dlan Ismail Mawlood, conducted a specialized training session entitled “Detecting Fake News and Its Psychological Impact on Individuals” at the Cihan Academy for Training and Development Hall.

The training was delivered by researcher and trainer Mr. Muhammad Omar Kani and attended by several students from the Department of Media in the second, third, and fourth stages. At the outset, the trainer highlighted the importance of media literacy and the need to develop students’ skills in identifying and distinguishing authentic news from fake news, particularly in the era of digital media and the rapid dissemination of information through social media platforms.

Subsequently, he discussed different types of fake news and the methods commonly used to fabricate and spread misleading information. He also explained the psychological effects of fake news on individuals, including inducing fear and anxiety, increasing skepticism and stress, creating confusion about events, and influencing thought processes and decision-making.

In addition, Mr. Muhammad Omar Kani emphasized the importance of verifying sources, cross-referencing information with reliable sources, and recognizing the telltale signs of fabricated news. He also introduced professional methods for dealing with fake news and verifying media content.

The practical segment of the training featured a series of interactive and group exercises. Students worked with various news scenarios and examples, attempting to distinguish fake news from genuine reports while applying fact-checking and verification tools. These activities provided students with a valuable opportunity to strengthen their skills in analyzing and evaluating media content.

In conclusion, on behalf of the Head of the Department of Media, the activity supervisor, Assistant Lecturer Dlan Ismail Mawlood, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to Mr. Muhammad Omar Kani for addressing this important topic and sharing his academic and practical expertise with the students.