A forum for journalists and civil society activists was held in Salah al-Din Governorate on June 25, as part of the “Democracy and Transparency: Civic Engagement and Freedom of Expression” project, funded by the European Union, in partnership with the Norwegian People's Aid (NPA), and in cooperation with the Shams and Tammuz networks.

The forum focused on the importance of updating voter registration data and encouraging citizens to collect their electoral cards, in addition to raising awareness of the electoral law through a simplified explanation of its procedures. It also included a presentation on the role of media in the electoral process, and the voting mechanism under the single-district system.

One of the key topics discussed was the role of media in combating rumors and misinformation related to the electoral process, given their negative impact on public trust and the integrity of the elections. The forum emphasized the importance of relying on official and credible sources of information.

The event featured interactive discussions among participants addressing legal and organizational aspects of the elections. A significant proposal was presented by a representative of the Journalists’ Syndicate, calling for a unified media message regarding the instructions of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC)—including dissemination of hotline numbers, complaint submission mechanisms, and enhanced coordination with media institutions and security operations leadership to deliver awareness messages that encourage electoral participation.

The forum was attended by a group of prominent journalists and civic activists in Salah al-Din, including bloggers from the “Sada Salah al-Din” pages, the head of the local Journalists’ Syndicate, and representatives from the Independent High Electoral Commission.

This activity comes as part of civil society organizations’ ongoing efforts to support the electoral process, enhance public participation, and build community awareness capable of distinguishing accurate information from harmful rumors