Disinformation in a Digital Age - Countering Disinformation

As technology and information evolves so does the way disinformation spreads through society. It can come in many forms of fake news on Facebook, media outlets and google searches,  all of which are not immune to it. It is an important skill to be able to discern and detect whether information is false and whether its intention is deliberately to deceive. This training covers the various types of disinformation campaigns that have been seen and how to deliver an effective response.

The course comprises of two elements; introduction to the core characteristics of Disinformation campaigns, followed by a practical exercise to put theory into practice. This training aims to equip participants with the knowledge and experience necessary to develop mitigation strategies before an attack and to react effectively in the event they become targets of an attack.

Disinformation in a Digital Age - Countering Disinformation is from our Information, Digital & Data Management series. At the Civil Service College, we tailor our courses to each attendee’s role and organisation, ensuring that each participant gets the most out of the training. Our courses and trainers are continuously updated and evaluated to ensure that we are always delivering the best service possible.

Key Training Features

Who Can Attend

Learning Outcomes

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Key Training Features:

• What are the differences between Misinformation and Disinformation, and why is it important for an organisation to know which of the two it is facing?
• Misinformation and Disinformation techniques; including Doxing and Gas Lighting. Contexts in which these tools are used; e.g. election interference, crisis control and long-term social destabilisation
• Anatomy of a real-world Disinformation campaign – chemical weapons use in Syria
• Facing a Disinformation campaign: How to assess risk (online risk audits) and preparation (digital sanitisation)
• Principles of Disinformation response: Identifying Threats and Perpetrators, Consistent Narrative and Coordinating a Response for countering disinformation
• Practicalities of a Disinformation response: Routes to Audiences (including social media) and a clear communications plan
• Participants will be immersed in a scenario where they are the targets of a Disinformation campaign
• Participants will make key decisions and develop products (press releases, video scripts, Tweets etc) to assist in fighting disinformation
• Trainers will attempt to simulate the high-pressure environment of a Disinformation response scenario
• The session ends with an assessment of the participant's performance

Who Can Attend:

• Civil servants (UK and non-UK) at an equivalent of UKCS Grade 6 working in public-facing roles on contentious issues
• Non-UK SCS 1 and SCS 2 working on Disinformation directly
• UK SCS 1 and SCS 2 officials working in press/media/public policy roles.
• Employees of arms-length bodies involved in programme delivery in contentious political contexts

Learning Outcomes:

Participants will leave with a better understanding of how disinformation spreads, by studying real-world situations. They will be equipped with Methods and processes, through practices,  to counter and fight disinformation through campaigns, designed responses and clear communication.