Verification, misinformation, & disinformation reporting
Jareen is an industry leader when it comes to understanding the trends, strategies, and current environment of the digital information space, specifically when it comes to misinformation, disinformation, user-generated content verification, and debunking manipulated content. She built a verification team at NBC News that transformed from obtaining UGC content for shows and platforms to becoming highly trained investigative journalists who specialize in open-sourced storytelling and social forensic analysis. Her team has worked with groups such NBC News’ investigative unit, as well as the investigative outfit Bellingcat, and many other departments and shows within NBC News brands. She has developed classes both internally and externally that specialize in equipping journalists and citizens with the tools and the mindset they need in order to navigate the polluted digital information space.
Public speaking events
Jareen has been a guest speaker at several National Association of Broadcasters conferences in the United States where she has discussed the threats of manipulated content, deepfakes, and disinformation and how journalists, especially local newsrooms, can help mitigate this problematic information trend.
Teaching courses
Jareen has built curriculums and classes that help journalists and the public learn how to fact-check information online and navigate misinformation. She has also given lectures on this topic both internally at NBC News and at external events. In addition, she is a guest lecturer and has spoken to students across the United States and internationally. Some of the institutions she has taught at include Pratt University, the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, the University of Florida, and more.
Collaborating with experts
Jareen is trained in OSINT research and investigative reporting. She has attended several courses taught by former Bellingcat contributors. Her team at NBC News has partnered with the investigative group to do in-depth reporting on the 2021 Capitol Riots in Washington, D.C.
Building curriculums
Jareen has experience teaching the foundations of verification, reporting, and storytelling to a range of different age groups. She’s lead programs that have taught pre-teenagers the importance of information verification. She’s worked as a professor for NBCU Academy, teaching professional content creators how to craft stories for digital, social, and television.
Increasing safety online
Jareen’s background in reporting on disinformation and misinformation has brought her to some of the darker parts of the internet. She’s witnessed the harassment, mistreatment, and online abuse of journalists and has actively worked with groups such as Pen America to help bring awareness to this issue. Her interview about reducing online harassment on social media platforms was featured in this 2021 report by Pen America.