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Description

Fact-Checking and Crisis Communication: Verifying Information, Issuing Denials and Regaining the Narrative

Address a rumour or a false claim before it becomes the accepted version of events

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Foundation
  • Up to 6 participants

A false claim is circulating about an organisation. It originates from a distorted internal message, an online comment or a poorly researched article. Responding too quickly amplifies its reach, while saying nothing leaves the field open. Communication teams must decide within hours, often without any established procedure.

This 14-hour programme combines information verification with crisis management. The first day covers methods for checking sources, images and figures. The second day addresses the decision to respond, the drafting of the denial and the return to public communication once the episode has passed.

Learning objectives

  • Trace the origin of a piece of information and assess the reliability of its source
  • Verify an image or a video taken out of context
  • Decide whether to respond publicly or refrain from reacting
  • Draft a factual denial without repeating the false claim in the headline
  • Organise the return to public communication after a crisis episode

What makes this programme different

A time-pressured crisis exercise run over half a day
Verification work carried out on content actually in circulation
A written decision-making procedure for future alerts

Programme

1Verify Before Reacting

Sources, images and figures

  • Tracing a claim back to its original source
  • Verifying an image or a video taken out of context
  • Checking a figure and the method used to calculate it
  • Keeping an audit trail of the verifications carried out

2Understanding How Information Spreads

Rumours, amplification and audiences

  • How false information circulates
  • Identifying the relays that amplify the message
  • Assessing the actual level of risk for the organisation
  • Structured monitoring of weak signals

3Denying Without Amplifying

Decision, drafting and distribution

  • Criteria for choosing between responding and remaining silent
  • Drafting a denial centred on the established fact
  • Selecting the channel and the timing of publication
  • Coordination between the spokesperson and the departments concerned

4Managing the Crisis and Moving On

Crisis team, spokesperson and recovery

  • Setting up the crisis team and allocating roles
  • Speaking to journalists and communicating online
  • Keeping employees informed during the episode
  • Returning to public communication and conducting a debrief

Who is it for

Communication managers and officers, spokespersons and members of crisis response teams.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.