Educators across the country are strengthening their capacity to tackle disinformation and media manipulation through the Training of Trainers (ToT) programme built around the News Alchemist – Civic Education Game.

Designed to equip educators with practical tools to address disinformation, media ethics, and manipulation, the ToTs combine interactive learning with methodological guidance for classroom application. To date, in February 2026, five ToT sessions have been conducted in Chișinău, Cantemir, Dondușeni and Leova.

Each training gathers up to 30 participants, with some sessions bringing together mixed groups of teachers and students.

The ToTs are built around News Alchemist, an interactive simulation that teaches media ethics and manipulation awareness through hands-on experience.

In the game, participants step into the role of independent journalists operating in a world that closely resembles our own. They receive assignments from NGOs, political actors, or other stakeholders, write articles and intentionally apply different types of bias, observe how public opinion shifts and face the ethical, reputational, and societal consequences of their decisions.
The core themes – ethics, freedom of the press, the power of language, and cognitive bias are explored not as abstract concepts, but as lived dilemmas within the simulation.

This practical dimension has been particularly appreciated by participants. Teachers noted that while critical thinking is formally present in school curricula, there is often limited emphasis on concrete manipulation techniques and bias mechanisms. The game fills this gap by offering a structured yet engaging way to explore how information can be shaped, distorted, and interpreted. Many participants have already expressed clear intentions to integrate the game into their lessons.

Importantly, the ToT format ensures that educators do not only experience the game as players, but also learn how to facilitate it effectively. This dual focus – content and methodology – increases their confidence in applying interactive approaches with students.

An additional ten ToT sessions are planned for March 2026, further expanding the reach of the programme and strengthening educators’ ability to address disinformation through interactive, experiential learning.

By scaling these trainings nationwide, the News Alchemist initiative continues to support teachers in transforming complex media literacy concepts into accessible, discussion-based, and practice-oriented classroom experiences.

Learn more and try the game yourself: https://newsalchemist.com/