Misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories.
These terms are forming an ever more fundamental part of our 21st century lives, and nevermore in the headlines than in an election year. 2024 has and will see two of the most important elections of our times, with Keir Starmer’s Labour party victorious in the UK in July, and the upcoming American Republican vs. Democrat battle in the United States of America. You could argue that the stakes have never been higher, particularly with the rise of extremist viewpoints across the globe – who will come out on top when it comes to Trump vs. Harris?
In this interview with the Royal Television Society Technology Centre, we’ll explore the current state of affairs with Marianna Spring.
Marianna is an award-winning journalist, and the BBC's first disinformation and social media correspondent. A role that is not without its challenges; following the publication of an article she wrote for BBC News in 2023 on an increase in trolling and online abuse on Twitter, Musk’s mocking retweet led to Marianna receiving more than 80% of all online abuse directed at BBC journalists in the first six months of that year.
Remaining steadfast in her role, Marianna continues to present podcasts – including the Radio 4 series ‘Why Do You Hate Me? Marianna in Conspiracyland’ - and documentaries investigating disinformation and social media for BBC Panorama and BBC Three, as well as a guest appearance on the satirical panel show ‘Have I Got News for You’. She is also one of the presenters of the BBC's Americast podcast.
In 2022, she was named the British Press Guild's Audio Presenter of the year and Royal Television Society Innovation winner. This year Marianna received the Gold Award at the Radio Academy Audio & Radio Industry Awards (ARIAS) in the 'Best Speech Presenter' category, and was also recognised as ‘Best Host’ at the British Podcast Awards for her work on the Americast podcast and Radio 4 investigative podcasts.
Her book, ‘Beyond the Trolls: My Journey Through Conspiracyland’ was released in March 2024.
Marianna Spring will be interviewed by the RTS’s Technology Centre Committee Member Kim Rowell, Managing Editor of News Production at ITN News Productions, and Trustee and Board Member for UN Women UK.
