The Truth Behind the Numbers: Spotting Statistical Misuse
Ever wondered how statistics can be twisted to fit a certain narrative? Numbers don’t lie, but they can certainly be manipulated. Join us for an eye-opening webinar on Tuesday, 25 February 2025, from 16:00 – 17:00, where we dive deep into the world of statistical misuse.
Why Does This Matter?
As a producer of official statistics, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is committed to ensuring data is used accurately and responsibly. In today’s fast-moving media landscape, numbers are often taken out of context, misrepresented, or misunderstood. Understanding how to spot statistical misuse is a crucial skill — whether you’re a journalist, policymaker, student, or simply someone who wants to stay informed.
What to Expect
This interactive webinar, part of our ‘Bringing Data to Life’ series, will help you understand how and why statistics are sometimes misused, and how you can critically evaluate the data you see in the news and online.
- Holding People Accountable – Learn how the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR) investigates statistical misuse and challenges government and MPs when things go wrong. Often called the ‘Statistics Watchdog’, the OSR plays a vital role in ensuring data integrity.
- Making Data Accessible – ONS experts will explain how they publish official statistics in different formats to ensure clarity and transparency.
- Trusting the News – Miles Fletcher, Head of Media at the ONS will share how we work to make sure statistics are fairly and accurately reported in the news, and other media.
Engage & Interact
This is not just another webinar—it’s an interactive session where you can ask questions and share your thoughts via Slido. Get involved, challenge assumptions, and deepen your understanding of how statistics shape public opinion and policy.
How to Join
The event will be hosted on Microsoft Teams, and if you can’t make it live, don’t worry— a recording will be available on the ONS YouTube channel afterwards, along with all of our other previous webinars in the series.
📌 SIGN UP NOW on Eventbrite and be part of the conversation using #StatisticsForThePublicGood on LinkedIn, X, and Threads.
Don’t let misleading statistics fool you — arm yourself with knowledge and join us for this insightful session.