False Information and Talks
Tactics to Respond to False Information training
We all do better with a healthy and inclusive information environment where people can trust the quality and honesty of the information they access. To achieve this, we need to be prepared for difficult conversations by practicing evidence-based ways to address false information that really work.
Many of us are facing the challenge of creating a good information environment while also dealing with false facts. This training is for you if you're:
responsible for planning public consultation
having difficult conversations in your workplace or communities
in a communications and media team designing campaigns and moderating feedback from the public in virtual spaces
navigating false information in your daily life
working on kaupapa relating to climate, health, te Tiriti, justice, or other topics where you regularly encounter incorrect information
This training will teach you three evidence-based strategies you can use when leading difficult conversations and addressing false information. The tactics you learn can be used when communicating online or in person, from comments sections to media engagement to large-scale townhall events.
What you’ll learn
how to get ahead of information you expect before it arrives
effective ways to respond to incorrect and false information that is already out there
ways to constructively navigate through difficult conversations
how to respond to false information in one-on-one settings both on and offline
What to expect
We can deliver this training both in-person as a half-day session or via Zoom over two 2-hour sessions.
Participants will receive a handbook ahead of training and will be asked to complete an hour of pre-reading before the first session. During the training we will explain why our strategies work, what they look like in practice, and how and when to use different tactics.
| Duration | Four hours total |
| Format | In-person or online |
| Course features | Training with expert trainers, small group activities and pre-reading |
Book private training
If you’ve got a group of 16 or more people wanting to work together on countering false information, then talk with our team about booking private training.
training@theworkshop.org.nz
What people say about our false information training
"Excellent, practical training that gives you the tools to understand what false information is and techniques to counter it…with a group of like-minded people" - Amanda Kelly, Community Housing Aotearoa
"A really valuable workshop that will help me more safely navigate both my work, and my personal life" - Ben Sarten, Every Gender
"Don't wait to go, because you'll want to do loads more learning afterwards so better crack on with it!" - Adam Rohe, Every Gender
"Do it! It’s practical and will help! " - Andrew Galloway, Alcohol Healthwatch
Talks for journalists and communicators
The ways we talk about and report on social issues like crime and climate disruption have an impact on how people understand those issues. We don’t report into a neutral space — people come to our reporting with existing beliefs and ideas about the issues. When most people's knowledge and understanding of an issue is shallow, our reporting is filtered through those shallow understandings, making it hard to have productive public conversations.
If you are interested in a private talk for your group or organisation about one of our well-researched areas of expertise such as climate disruption or crime and justice, please get in touch.
training@theworkshop.org.nz.