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 livestream: 25th MarchBBC 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 now for our next virtual event 25th March
Here’s what we have coming up next that you and your group can be part of online.
Nottingham Trent University: Wednesday 25 March 2026
Coming live from Nottingham Trent University
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, Harry Stevens, with a panel of guest speakers from the BBC and other media related organisations. |
14:10 – 14:50 | PRODUCTION Q&A: TV formats - Shortform and Social Content with RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Step into the world of television formats with this insightful masterclass focusing on BBC hit RuPaul’s Drag Race UK from the perspective of Shortform and Social Content. You’ll meet and hear from the BBC Three team who make attention grabbing shortform content for Drag Race UK audiences, on screens large and small. Joining the line-up is Zahirah Zapanta a Nottingham based performer who took part in the show in 2024 and most recently RuPauls Drag Race Vs The World , who will be adding their insights and experiences of taking part in Drag Race UK, and what it really takes to compete in one of the UKs most distinctive reality formats. This is a session perfect for anyone curious about TV formats in general and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in particular; It's the masterclass for people who love a good story and those who like nothing more than creating content on their phones. It's the one time we’ll actively be telling you to pick up those phones and use them more - because getting out there and having a go can actively lead you into a career in the creative industries. |
Watch back past events
You can see the media careers talks and production Q&As from past BBC Verify on Tour events here.
