Program design & management, curriculum development, journalist training  

Countering digital disinformation: First Draft

Heading into the 2020 election, local journalists were on the front lines of a disinformation crisis — facing coordinated manipulation campaigns, viral rumors, and platform dynamics. They needed training on how to track and report responsibly on algorithmic deception.

I designed and managed First Draft’s 2020 Local News Fellowship, a five-state initiative that trained local journalists to identify, investigate, and counter online disinformation in their own communities. The program combined curriculum development, mentorship, and on-the-ground reporting support across Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

As part of this work, I co-authored Misinformation in Your Backyard, a field guide distilling insights from the fellowship into practical guidance for journalists and news organizations. The report was published by First Draft and has served as a resource for journalists and trainers working on election integrity and local disinformation response.