Online Course 2008/2022: OSINT - Focus on fake news and disinformation leading to extremism

The aim of the activity is to improve practitioners' performance by enhancing their knowledge on the difference between open-source intelligence (OSINT) and fake news that might lead to extremism, particularly the significance of social media in mobilising previously unpopular extremist movements.

Upon completion of the training activity, the participant will be able to:

• discuss and distinguish OSINT and fake news that may lead to extremism;

• compare and articulate how social media have aided in the mobilisation of previously unpopular extremist/social political movements;

• Recognise and determine the historical account of news media and its dissemination technology;

• Recognise the Role of the EU Action Plan Against Disinformation.

The learning process highlights a learner-centred approach and will accommodate interactive, participatory and practical discussions and shared lessons learned from different cases studies from OSINT investigations.

The course will be held entirely in English, therefore it is essential that nominated officials possess appropriate language skills (at least B2 level). The entire activity will be carried out online hence the physical presence of participants will not be required. No special experience is required from participants but it is important that they`ll remain open-minded, active and will be willing to share their ideas/experience during the learning process.

The course will be delivered over a period of two weeks, from 28 November to 9 December 2022. Participants are expected to study around 2-3 hours per day during this period in order to be able to complete the activity. While there is no specific time slot when participants shall be available for completing the course tasks, they should follow the course continuously on a daily basis. This is important as the attendants will need to cooperate with other participants virtually and complete small tasks/assignments then share the results of these tasks between each other and debate them collectively.

Nomination:

In case you are interested to attend, please contact your local CEPOL National Unit / CEPOL National Contact Point as soon as possible. Deadline for nominations by CEPOL National Units: 11 November 2022.

Selected participants have to be registered to CEPOL's online Law Enforcement Education platform LEEd where the online activity will take the place.