BBC Academy Live presents BBC Verify on Tour
Bringing media literacy to life for young people through workshops, expert insights and inspiring career conversations both in-person and online!
Register for the next Verify on Tour virtual eventsBBC Academy Live presents BBC Verify on Tour is a nationwide outreach initiative - delivered both in-person and virtually - for schools, colleges, and sixth forms. These events are designed to help young people develop essential skills and knowledge to navigate the world of digital media.
The Academy, in collaboration with universities and the BBC Verify team, ensure each event features in-person expert-led interactive workshops, and online engaging discussions with journalists, fact-checkers, and digital content creators.
Participants gain a behind-the-scenes look at how BBC Verify’s specialist team investigates and verifies stories. This helps young people identify misinformation, understand bias, and evaluate trustworthy sources. It’s not just about decoding headlines - it’s about building the confidence to question, challenge, and think critically.
A key focus of the events is to highlight the wide range of roles within the media industry and the pathways available for those interested in a media career. Attendees can expect inspiring career talks and exclusive conversations with professionals who have made their mark in journalism, storytelling, and digital content creation.
Whether young people are curious about content creation or considering a future in news, these events offer a wealth of inspiration, practical insights and opportunities to explore the ever-changing media landscape.
Aims of the project
For young people to be inspired to think critically, challenge creatively, and shape the future of the media industry.
What young people will learn
- How to spot fake news and understand media bias
- Ways to evaluate trustworthy sources
- The importance of critical thinking in the digital age
What to expect
- Interactive workshops with BBC Verify experts
- Behind-the-scenes insights into how stories are verified
- Live conversations with journalists, fact-checkers, and content creators
- Career talks and apprenticeship advice from those working in the industry
Why your group should attend
Whether they're curious about content creation or considering a future in news, these events offer:
- Inspiration and ideas
- Industry insights
- Pathways into media careers and BBC Apprenticeships
Hear from the experts
- Meet professionals who’ve made their mark in the media industry
- Discover what steps to take towards a career in journalism, content creation, storytelling and more!
Register for upcoming virtual events
We have five VOT livestreams coming up. Each one will feature the following sessions:
- BBC Verify's Filter the Fakes (apprx time 10:15 – 10:55) Designed to help young people build their news literacy, strengthen their critical thinking skills and understand misinformation and disinformation
- You’re the Producer (apprx time 11:45-12:30) An interactive workshop where you work together in Stopping a Viral Misinformation Storm
- Media Careers Panel (apprx time 13:20- 14:00) Each event will feature a different panel of industry professionals talking about their career journeys, behind-the-scenes stories, and advice and tips for a career industry.
- Behind the scenes of a production (apprx time 14:10 - 14:50) Each event will spotlight on a different production and how it comes to our screens.
Full timetables will be listed about a month before each event. We recommend you register and save the date so they can become part of your class timetable.
NB: These forms are for school and college staff to complete. Once registered, you can share the webinar link with your group or set up the call in your call room or lecture hall.
- Thursday 26th November - Book your virtual placeLive from Plymouth Marjon University
- Wednesday 16th December - Book your virtual placeLive from Birmingham City University
- Wednesday 20th January - Book your virtual placeLive from University of Cumbria
- Friday 26th February - Book your virtual placeLive from Ulster University
- Friday 5th March - Book your virtual placeLive from Ravensbourne University London
Timetable for Thursday 26th November
10:15 - 10:55 | BBC VERIFY MASTERCLASS: 'Filter the Fakes' | In a time when trusted news and navigating an overwhelming amount of information is more challenging than ever, the BBC Verify’s masterclass enhances young people’s news literacy and critical thinking skills. By the end of the masterclass, the aim is that you start thinking more critically about what you read, see and hear online and on social media, and to consider the source of this information and whether to believe it or share it. Led by BBC Verify Journalist Paul Brown. |
11:45 – 12:30 | INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: You’re the Producer- Stopping a Viral Misinformation Storm | Stepping into the role of BBC Verify producers responding to a breaking story spreading across social media, you'll investigate a fast moving rumour, decide what’s reliable, what needs further checking, and what shouldn’t be published. The workshop also explores how AI can manipulate audio and why verification is more important than ever. By the end, you will have a better understanding how misinformation spreads, how journalists verify breaking news, and how to think critically before sharing content online. Led by Journalist and audio producer John Offord. |
13:20 - 14:00 | MEDIA CAREERS PANEL: Insights into working in the creative industry | Curious about what it’s really like to work in news and media? This session pulls back the curtain on BBC Verify, BBC News, and the wider creative industry-including exciting opportunities like BBC apprenticeships. You’ll hear directly from a panel of industry professionals as they share their career journeys, behind-the-scenes stories, and practical tips to help you kick-start your own path in media. Whether you're dreaming of becoming a journalist, producer, or something in between, this is your chance to get inspired and informed! Hosted by BBC Presenter, Matt Tancock, with a panel of guest speakers from the BBC and other media related organisations. |
14:10 – 14:50 | PRODUCTION Q&A: Race Across the World | Since winning Race Across the World, Alfie Watts has built a successful career creating travel-focused digital content. Joined by Jaden Glendon from the BBC Social Team, he'll share insights into creating compelling social content for the show and connecting audiences with some of the BBC’s biggest brands, including The Celebrity Traitors, MasterChef and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, social media know-how and a fresh look at what it takes to engage audiences across platforms. Hosted by BBC Presenter, Matt Tancock. |
Watch back past talks and Q&As
The Media Careers talks each have a different panel with speakers from the BBC and wider creative industry, giving their insights and practical tips into working in the media, and opportunities such as BBC apprenticeships and industry schemes.
Hear from writers, directors, content creators and more in these Production Q&As as they give behind the scenes insights into the programmes they’ve work on, including RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, The Traitors and The Great British Sewing Bee.
Join the BBC Verify on Tour mailing list
Be the first to know about upcoming BBC Verify on Tour events and other BBC Academy Live events for your group, happening across the country.
Register your details and we’ll keep you up to date with what’s coming up and how you can join virtually. If we’re coming to a university near you then you could be invited to attend in-person!
- BBC Verify on Tour mailing list registration formComplete this form to be added to our database
