Online Training: Tackling Disinformation Online and Offline

Disinformation online and offline is a growing and topical issue that affects all councils.

There is no magic bullet to tackle disinformation but it can’t be ignored as it has an effect on councillors, council services and reputation, and even public safety. During the pandemic and as we move into the second part of 2021 we have seen increasingly serious impacts of disinformation.

This course will look at how you can mitigate the impact of disinformation online and offline, including considering the importance of facilitating community development; fixing resident issues; watching over council decision-making and acting in your party group to promote your manifesto.

Participants will develop their understanding of:

• The different kinds of disinformation
• What tools there are to tackle disinformation head-on and their limitations
• The importance of sharing trusted sources of information.
• How to create content that creates a positive and trusted narrative to counter disinformation
• The session will include opportunities for participants to share their experiences and explore how to deal with real-life situations.

Programme

12:30 Welcome and introductions

12:35 The rise of citizen journalism and informal networks.

12:45 Tools the social media platforms offer to counter disinformation and their uses and limitations

13:00 Why and how to create a positive trusted narrative

13:10 Content that cuts through – making the truth as interesting as fiction

13.20 Breaking Social Media bubbles and being part of offline informal networks

13.30 Informal session for discussion and Q&A

13.45 Close.

Who should attend?

This online session will be relevant for elected members and officers involved in community engagement, comms and use of social media.

Trainer:

Rachel Eden (Cllr) is an experienced trainer and has been an elected member of a Unitary Authority since 2010, having served in a range of roles including the opposition, cabinet member, committee chair and is currently the Deputy Mayor. As a trainer, she specialises in finance, management and social media and is a qualified management accountant. Rachel delivers training to individuals and groups ranging from employees of multinational corporations to volunteers at small charities.

Duncan Enright (Cllr) is an opposition leader in a District Council in the South East, and former mayor of his home town. With over 35 years in the publishing industry, including as a director and head of several organisations, he has experience in governance issues and management in several sectors. For ten years he served as a non-executive director of an NHS Trust, most of that time as Vice-Chair and Chair of Audit.

As a director of a leadership development company, Duncan has coached and trained people all over the world in emotionally intelligent and ethical leadership. He is the author of white papers on the subject including “Politics Beyond the Ego” from Routledge. is an experienced trainer and has been an elected member of a Unitary Authority since 2010, having served in a range of roles including the opposition, cabinet member, committee chair and is currently the Deputy Mayor. As a trainer, she specialises in finance, management and social media and is a qualified management accountant. Rachel delivers training to individuals and groups ranging from employees of multinational corporations to volunteers at small charities.