Professional Diploma in Fact-Checking and Verification
Course Overview
This course gives participants the chance to further develop fact checking & verification skills with a team of internationally renowned trainers.
This exciting new course investigates and identifies various forms of information disorder and how this impacts and influences the work of journalists. It addresses the methods used in the spread of falsehoods as well examining its sources, causes and consequences in order to provide participants with the practical skills to carry out fact-checking and verification processes and practices.
The course is validated by Griffith College. This course focuses on the development of professional skills and does not sit on the national framework.
The closing date for applications is 10am on Thursday 19 November.
Why Study Fact-checking & Verification?
Areas covered on the course include, the reliable use of data to debunk malinformation, best practice for using FOI (and AIE) to fact check and verify information of public interest, using company and legal online tools to develop stories, using Open-source intelligence (OSINT) & Digital & Audio-Visual Forensic tools, evaluation of the authenticity of online sources and related content as well as where, why and how we are now facing what has been widely described as a "Infodemic".
- Access to experienced media professionals in a variety of specialist areas.
- Short course that minimises the need for extended time off work.
- Development of practical skills to enhance career prospects.
- Networking opportunities with fellow media professionals.
- Blended nature of course enables flexible learning environment.
- Understanding of the driving forces influencing the spread of information disorder.
Intake Dates
- Dublin - Blended - November 2026
Course Details
Course Content
- Identifying Information disorder: misinformation, disinformation and malinformation and examining its sources, causes and consequences.
- The "Infodemic": understanding the speed and reach advantage that falsehoods have over corrections.
- Understanding pre-bunking: the proactive approach, theoretical foundation of the inoculation approach, two types of pre-bunking, what to pre-bunk?
- Common narratives within misinformation/disinformation organisations or properties.
- Digital & Audio-Visual Forensics: Analyzing volumes of user-generated content to verify authenticity.
- Geospatial & Satellite Analysis: Utilizing satellite imagery & geolocation and mapping tools to pinpoint filming locations, establish timelines of events and author information.
- Open-source intelligence (OSINT) harvesting: custom search operators and social media API scrapers.
- Database cross-referencing: plane and shipping databases, leaked documents, crime scene investigations, property records.
- Examination of common topics of information disorder such as immigration, inequality, politics and health.
- Maintain journalistic objectivity and the importance of transparency.
- Fact-checking the frame (Frame-checking) – how misleading coverage or narratives impacts story development.
- How practices within newsrooms can increase risks of misinformation, and what journalists do about it.
- Identification of the methods used by social media users and platforms in the spread of misinformation/disinformation and how this can be combatted using fact-checking techniques.
- Outline of the framework used by purveyors of false information - actors, narratives and tactics.
- How to use social media as a verification and fact checking tool and be aware of the common mistakes that can be made when doing so.
- The evolution of the algorithm over time and how this has impacted our information ecosystem.
- Evaluation of sources and accounts and how it connects to the assessment of the authenticity of related content.
- Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the generation of false information/content.
- Impact of the removal/gutting of Trust & Safety and moderation teams at social media platforms.
- In-class practical exercises.
- Group fact-checking and verification tasks between training sessions.
- Q&A sessions with each trainer.
- Fact-checking as a means of promoting news media brand integrity, identity & sustainability.
- Fact-checking as a method for the creation newsworthy and further in-depth journalistic content.
Trainers & Speakers
Malachy Browne - New York Times
Aoife Gallagher – Institute of Strategic Dialogue
Joe Galvin - RTE Investigates
Ken Foxe - www.kenfoxe.com
Lois Kapila - Dublin Inquirer
Ciaran O’Connor - Institute of Strategic Dialogue
Niall Sargent – The Currency
Course Contact
If you have any questions, please contact ryan.brennan@griffith.ie for further information.
Timetables
2026-2027
This course is scheduled to commence on Friday, 27th November 2026. This part-time course will run on five mornings from 9.30am - 2 pm over a period of 8 weeks, with course dates outlined below.
Year 2026-2027
- Nov: 27, 28
- Jan: 15, 16, 30
Contact ryan.brennan@griffith.ie for further information.
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
All applicants must be a current or recent working journalist or related media professional. A CV must be included with all applications.
How to Apply
Directly to Griffith College Professional Academy
Applicants under 23 years of age:
Minimum 5 O6s/H7s in the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent award
Or FETAC Level 5 Full Award
Applicants over the age of 23 (Mature students):
Direct entry - If you are 23 years or over from the 1st January of this year, you can apply for this course directly using the College’s online application form.
It is recommended that applicants have a good understanding of both written and spoken English.
Fees
Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.
This course is partially funded by Coimisiún na Meán.
Fees
Study Mode: Part-Time
Fee: EUR 100.00
Flexible Payment Options
Students wishing to avail of an instalment plan should contact professionalacademy@griffith.ie
Sponsorship
Is your company paying for your course?
They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and send this to professionalacademy@griffith.ie
Progression
What further study can I do?
Graduates of this course may be interested in progressing to the MA in Journalism & Digital Communications at Griffith College or another short course from Griffith College Professional Academy, subject to satisfying the entry requirements, where necessary.
