By: Samantha Iyar
BRISBANE, Australia — A workshop on prebunking disinformation brought together participants from across the Pacific on November 12, 2024, to tackle the rising tide of misinformation. Titled “Prebunking Disinformation: Next Generation Workshop,” the session was part of the two-day Disinfo Pacific Conference held in Brisbane.
The workshop emphasized equipping attendees, especially younger participants, with the skills to identify and counter disinformation before it spreads. Organizers highlighted the importance of proactive measures—known as prebunking—in contrast to debunking, which occurs after misinformation has taken root.
Interactive activities included an online playthrough of “The Bad News Game,” a simulation that places players in scenarios mirroring real-world challenges in managing social media information. Through the game, participants honed critical thinking skills to distinguish credible content from deceptive narratives.
“The game made me realize how easily disinformation can be structured and spread,” said Mekenzie Mulligan, a student intern with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) for the Pacific.
The workshop also explored common disinformation techniques such as impersonation, emotional manipulation, polarization, conspiracy theories, and trolling. Participants engaged in an exercise as “false news creators,” crafting headlines and tweets using these techniques. This hands-on activity deepened their understanding of how disinformation takes shape and circulates.
Reflecting on her experience, Mulligan shared how critical thinking helped her confront misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. “Relying on trusted sources and being well-informed can make a world of difference,” she said, encouraging others to cultivate these habits.
The workshop, co-organized by UNIC for the Pacific, brought together participants from Palau and other Pacific nations. It placed a particular focus on combating disinformation related to democracy, health, and climate change—key issues facing the region.
Samantha Iyar, a junior reporter from Island Times in Palau and a workshop participant, said the event demonstrated the power of collaboration. “It’s inspiring to see so many people from diverse sectors working toward a common goal,” she said.
As misinformation continues to evolve, workshops like this underscore the urgency of fostering media literacy and critical thinking among the next generation. By arming individuals with tools to prebunk disinformation, organizers aim to build resilient communities capable of navigating today’s complex information environment.