Disinformation Course
Media Revolution Recommends:
Beyond the Noise: A 6-Week Online Workshop to Reclaim Connection, Sharpen Your Thinking, and Strengthen Democracy
Tuesdays 7pm – 8.30pm (UK time) : 14 April to 19 May on Zoom
hosted by Paul Thistlethwaite of Win Win Academy
You feel it every day—the division, the distrust, the feeling that we’re being fed a story designed to pull us apart. It’s exhausting. But it’s not inevitable. Join us for a practical, collaborative online course to understand the disinformation crisis and, more importantly, discover what you can do about it.
We are living in an age of information, yet we’ve never felt more in the dark. Deliberate falsehoods poison our public square, inflame divisions between neighbours, and erode the very foundations of our democracy. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, cynical, or powerless.
This isn’t another lecture on the problems. “Beyond the Noise” is a 6-week interactive workshop designed to move you from passive concern to active, confident engagement. Guided by Paul, a seasoned facilitator of over 200 community dialogues, you won’t just learn about the issues—you’ll join a committed community to practice the skills needed to navigate them. This is a space to think together, challenge constructively, and emerge with a concrete toolkit to counteract division and strengthen the truth, starting in your own life.
Over six weeks you will gain:
- Clarity: A clear, non-partisan understanding of the disinformation ecosystem: who creates it, why it spreads, and how it harms individuals and democracy.
- A Powerful Toolkit: Practical, adaptable skills in critical thinking, media literacy, conflict resolution, and finding common ground—usable in conversations with friends, family, and in your community.
- A Hopeful, Actionable Path: Exploration of solutions at every level—from personal habits and community-based fact-checking to legislative changes and innovative models like People’s Assemblies.
- A Collaborative Learning Experience: Connection with a diverse group of peers in a facilitated, respectful environment where everyone’s perspective is part of the learning.
The 6-Week Curriculum: Your Journey from Confusion to Action
14 April – Session 1: The Crisis We’re In: Mapping the Disinformation Ecosystem & Finding the Win-Win
We begin by building a shared understanding of the problem. We’ll move beyond simple definitions to map out the entire disinformation ecosystem—from creators and amplifiers to believers and the harms caused. Crucially, we’ll introduce the “win-win” approach, a powerful framework for moving beyond polarised arguments to uncover the shared aims that can unite us. We’ll lay the groundwork for our learning community and set you up for a powerful learning programme.
21 April – Session 2: Holding Power to Account: Reimagining Media & Platform Regulation
Can we change the system itself? This session tackles the big levers of change. We’ll explore options for holding social media platforms accountable, examine the potential and pitfalls of legislation like the Online Safety Act, and ask a vital question: how can we strengthen institutions like the BBC and local journalism to become more trusted, independent sources of news? We’ll even practice finding common ground on a contentious media-related issue.
28 April – Session 3: Inoculating Against Falsehoods: Building Personal & Community Media Literacy
Before a lie spreads, we can build our immunity. This session focuses on the concept of “pre-bunking” (or inoculation) and media literacy. We’ll learn from leading initiatives in Finland and the UK, play the acclaimed “Bad News” game to experience how disinformation works, and apply practical frameworks to scrutinise real-world information. You’ll leave with a personalised plan to improve your own “news diet.”
5 May – Session 4: Sharpening Your Tools: Critical Thinking & Constructive Dialogue
Equip yourself with the essential intellectual toolkit to cut through manipulation. We’ll move beyond the basics to explore common logical fallacies, understand the role emotions play in reasoning, and practice fact-checking techniques that start from sound premises. This session is about strengthening your own mind so you can engage with information—and the people who share it—more effectively and find common ground, even on hot-button issues.
12 May – Session 5: The Power of Connection: From Empathy to Community Fact-Checking
We often think fighting falsehoods means winning arguments. This session proposes a more powerful alternative: building connections. We’ll explore why “connection not correction” is a more effective strategy, the vital role of trusted community voices, and the potential of community-based approaches like collaborative wikis and platforms like Polis. The heart of this session will be a powerful empathy circle, where we practice listening to understand, not just to reply.
19 May – Session 6: Democracy Beyond the Ballot: How We the People Can Deliberate and Decide
How do we rebuild trust and resilience at the broadest level? We conclude by exploring models of democratic renewal. You’ll receive a mini-training in the core components of a People’s Assembly: the power of neutral, high-quality information; the process of deliberation that slows down thinking; and how representative groups can find common ground. We’ll look at how these tools can be adapted to tackle the challenge of disinformation and leave you feeling equipped and inspired to be an active participant in strengthening democracy.
Your Facilitator: Paul Thistlethwaite is a facilitator with over 20 years of experience of running community workshops, Paul has mastered the art of creating spaces where people with differing views can discuss respectfully and even find common ground. His approach is rooted in critical thinking and a deep belief in collective wisdom. In this course, he acts as your guide, creating a rich, interactive environment where you learn as much from each other as you do from him.
Suggested Donations
This course will be funded by donations only. Upon confirmation of a place you will be directed to a Kofi page to make your donation to complete the process. There are also a limited number of £5 places, please ask for these in your application.
High-waged
£120
Waged
£60
Low-waged
£30
FAQs
Do I need to join on a laptop?
Yes, we strongly recommend you join on a laptop, NOT a tablet or mobile phone. The course uses A4 information cards that are best viewed on a laptop. The course also includes breakout rooms and exercises so you will be moving between windows which is easier on a laptop.
Will sessions be recorded?
Yes I aim to record sessions and make them available to participants (only) who may have missed the session. Due to the interactive nature of the workshops, it is better to attend live. Breakout rooms will not be recorded.