Public Relations

Fact-Checking and Misinformation Response for Communicators

False and misleading information spreads quickly and can damage organisations, public health and trust. This course equips communicators to detect, verify and respond to misinformation: how misinformation spreads, verification tools and techniques, deciding when and how to respond, prebunking and debunking, working with platforms and fact-checkers, and building long-term resilience.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

Download course PDF

Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Responding badly to misinformation can amplify it. You will learn evidence-based ways to verify claims and respond effectively.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Verification exercises with real examples, response decision workshops, debunk writing practice and case studies.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain how misinformation and disinformation spread
Verify claims, images and videos
Decide whether and how to respond
Apply prebunking and debunking techniques
Work with platforms and fact-checkers
Build organisational resilience to misinformation

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

PR and communication professionals
Social media managers
Government communication staff
Journalists and content editors
Health and crisis communicators

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Verification
Response decisions
Debunking
Platform liaison
Resilience building

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1The Misinformation Landscape

09:00–10:08Misinformation and disinformation
10:08–11:00How it spreads
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45How it spreads (continued)
11:45–12:53Case studies
12:53–14:00Exercise

Day 2Verification

09:00–10:08Source checks
10:08–11:00Image and video verification
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Image and video verification (continued)
11:45–12:53Tools
12:53–14:00Hands-on

Day 3Response Decisions

09:00–10:08Assessing reach and harm
10:08–11:00When to respond
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45When to respond (continued)
11:45–12:53Avoiding amplification
12:53–14:00Workshop

Day 4Debunking and Prebunking

09:00–10:08Debunk structure
10:08–11:00Prebunking
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Prebunking (continued)
11:45–12:53Trusted messengers
12:53–14:00Writing practice

Day 5Resilience

09:00–10:08Platforms and fact-checkers
10:08–11:00Monitoring
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Monitoring (continued)
11:45–12:53Resilience plan
12:53–14:00Action plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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