Spot the technique: a free, self-paced daily challenge for Media Literacy Week. Each day from October 26 to 30, two real 2026 political ads go up on semblen.com, one from each side, built around the same persuasion technique (name calling, glittering generalities, exaggeration, appeal to fear, loaded language). Readers pick the techniques they see, then compare their answers with Semblen’s analysis, which marks the exact words and explains each technique in a sentence. It judges wording, not which side is right, and disagreeing with the machine, for a reason, counts. Takes about five minutes a day; works as a classroom warm-up, with a free 45-minute lesson plan at semblen.com/classroom. No sign-up, no student data, no ads.
McKenzie Sadeghi oversees NewsGuard’s work at the intersection of artificial intelligence and foreign influence, and in tracking state-sponsored propaganda. In a conversation with Deanna Troust of Truth in Common, she’ll share about current trends in disinformation and her reporting, which includes revealing a network of over 150 disinformation-spewing websites run out of Moscow by a former Florida deputy sheriff.
Join us for an exploration of misinformation and disinformation in the digital age. Our panelists will decode the tactics used to manipulate and divide us, and how we can take productive steps to counter them. You’ll leave with practical tools for navigating today’s information landscape with confidence.
Register here: https://bit.ly/DemocracyHappyHour
Go beyond the headlines and learn how local news gets made! Join journalists from the Renton Reporter for a lively conversation about the stories happening right now in your backyard, and how to spot untrustworthy news.
Program Flow (60 minutes):
Welcome & introductions (5 min)
Panel discussion with moderator (35 min)
Audience Q&A (15 min)
Small group rotations/meet and greet (15 min)
This event is open to all RTC students, employees and the general public.