SHORT COURSES
Digital Verification/Open-Source Investigation (OSINT)
Learn how to identify and verify misinformation and disinformation through this interactive course.
Learn how to identify and verify misinformation and disinformation through this interactive course
This four-hour course offers an interactive introduction to spotting mis- and disinformation for journalists or anyone in communication roles.
Delegates are placed in charge of an imagined newsroom as a major story breaks on social media. Practice in real-time the core skills of digital verification and open-source investigation, such as corroborating information, geolocating imagery, and spotting AI-generated material.
What you'll learn
Are you able to locate an image from a single clue in the background? Can you spot the signs that a piece of content has been digitally manipulated? If unproven claims are surfacing online, at what point should you hit publish?
The Digital Verification Skills course teaches open-source investigation skills and tests delegates' judgement in a live environment, encouraging them to deal with the time-pressured challenges presented as breaking news plays out online.
Learn from experts
This interactive, remotely-delivered course has been designed by journalists with years of experience in fact-checking online information and debunking misinformation.
Sessions are led by experienced journalists with decades of experience in news. As well as taking part in the fun, interactive news scenario, delegates will be taken through the fundamentals of digital verification – melding long-held journalistic principles with techniques enabled by new open-source technologies.
You will leave the course versed not just in new technical skills but also with the confidence to make sound judgement calls when presented with unverified information on social media.
Who the Digital Verification Skills course is for?
This course is for newsroom and communications staff of any level, or anyone with an interest in how to verify online content and tackle misinformation.
We currently only offer this course as bespoke training for teams. It can be delivered remotely or in your offices.
Get in touch using the button below to discuss times and dates for bespoke training.
Course Modules
Key Theory
Introduction to mis- and disinformation
Find: how to discover potentially newsworthy content online
Assess: tips for quickly identifying trustworthiness of sources
Corroborate: how to geolocate and cross-reference user-generated content
Take Notes: tips for keeping records of your investigations
Second Opinion: avoid common pitfalls such as confirmation bias
Artificial Intelligence: dealing with the new challenge of AI-generated content
Practical exercise
Assessing who created online content and how
Geolocation exercises using Google Maps
Decide whether/when to publish a breaking story scenario, considering accuracy, ethics, safety and law
Using OSINT techniques in conjunction with traditional reporting skills
Write a news story summarising what you've uncovered
Using OSINT tools in practice
Using online tools to discover newsworthy posts across platforms
Analysing the content using reverse image search, EXIF checkers and other image analysis tools
Advanced geolocation exercise – how tiny clues can help build a picture
Archiving online content and searching for cached pages
What our students say
What a great session we had on Communicating with Impact. Bridgid shared practical techniques to enhance and develop our communications skills so we can present and speak publicly or to senior stakeholders with confidence and impact. I speak for my whole team in highly recommending Bridgid Nzekwu if you are after effective and fun communication training.
The team is flexible, slick, well-resourced and overall simply first class. Their expertise and knowledge have been invaluable. I was delighted with our choice, so I’d have no hesitation in recommending them
PA Media Training were efficient, well organised and genuinely lovely people to deal with and, importantly for us, able to provide flexibility around our needs to create the bespoke training we required. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them for further training or to recommend them to other organisations.
The small class sizes nurture a comfortable environment where everyone supports and learns from each other. The staff helped me hone in on my writing skills and develop the confidence to feel comfortable on camera.
Interested in this course?
Talk to the Press Association Academy team about dates, fees and bespoke options.