CrossCheck at RMIT FactLab will help New Zealand newsrooms and community media prepare for online threats during the election period with immersive training events.
CrossCheck at RMIT FactLab will help New Zealand newsrooms and community media prepare for online threats during the election period with immersive training events.
CrossCheck at RMIT FactLab will help New Zealand newsrooms and community media prepare for online threats during the election period with immersive training events.
Live simulations place journalists at the heart of a high-intensity breaking-news story and challenge them to make reporting decisions in real time. This includes a bespoke reflection and masterclass in information disorder and responsible reporting.
Simulations are delivered with support from the Google News Initiative.
Responsible reporting and responding is included in the masterclasses, as sometimes well-intentioned journalists can actually have the opposite effect. Before reporting journalists must consider the 'tipping point' - as sometimes addressing the content might actually spread it further or 'amplify' information that we don’t want to give any more public attention. In other words, shining a spotlight on false or misleading information — even if it’s to call it out as false or misleading — can spread it to a wider audience, potentially resulting in more harm than good.
Additionally, research from the fields of psychology and communication is outlined and used to maximise the positive impact of corrections. Unless a debunk is done appropriately, our brains are more likely to remember a falsehood. There is a craft to writing debunks! Our strategy also encourages journalists to consider not just how to counter misinformation by debunking it, but how to proactively build trust with audiences.
We also include additional Q and A follow up session for each newsroom and community group if required.
We’ve already enlisted news media from top tier national and regional mastheads, and plan to deliver in language to Māori and Chinese media and trusted community members. Once the election campaign kicks off, we’ll provide daily alerts and guidance to our media networks.
Delivered with support from the Google News Initiative, RMIT CrossCheck invites you to take part in a misinformation simulation workshop looking at misinformation around the coming New Zealand election.
This is an open-invitation training session which simulates scenarios where a reporter is presented with (fictional) social media content designed to encourage thinking about the consequences of reporting - or not reporting about a post, claim or other content on social media. The simulation places journalists taking part at the heart of an intense and high-impact breaking news story. Participants are given a role to play, and are challenged to make real-time decisions in that role to slow the spread of false rumours and misleading information. Like hostile environment training or getting vaccinated, this simulation will help prepare you for the real-life misinformation that you may come across during the election later this year.
The sessions also feature a so-called 'masterclass' in digital news investigation tools or skills to assist in the identification of potential misinformation.
All news media organisations are welcome to register free of charge for these online training sessions on either of the dates/times below. For more information please visit the RMIT University CrossCheck website or email partnerships and community lead Miguel D'Souza via miguel.dsouza@rmit.edu.au.
| Sessions | |
| September 28 2023, 01:30 PM | September 29 2023, 09:30 AM |
| Register in advance for this meeting | Register in advance for this meeting |
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Ahead of elections, misinformation can ramp up leading to confusion and an erosion of people’s trust in the democratic process. With Kiwis taking to the polls this October, and a wide range of sources readily available online, it’s crucial that those who write the news have the tools to evaluate and ascertain quality information from misinformation.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.