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Post-Truth and Revolution

Amol Rajan discusses post truth with Matthew D'Ancona, Claire Wardle, China Mieville and Lijia Zhang.

On Start the Week Amol Rajan seeks the truth in a post-truth world. The political columnist Matthew D'Ancona paints a dystopian picture in which trust has evaporated, conspiracy theories thrive, and feelings trump fact. He argues that the very foundations of democracy are under threat. Claire Wardle is hoping her organisation First Draft will equip users to verify the sources of stories and tackle misinformation online. But what happens when the peddlers of misinformation are state-sponsored? The Chinese writer Lijia Zhang spent a decade working in a rocket factory and her memoir, Socialism is Great!, reflects the great social transformation in China since the 1980s, and the shifts in trust and truth which mirrored such changes. The writer China MiΓ©ville, who is best known for his stories of urban surrealism, turns his attention to the story of the Russian Revolution.
Producer: Kirsty McQuire.

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43 minutes

Last on

Mon 15 May 2017 21:30

Matthew D'Ancona

Matthew D'Ancona is a journalist.

Post-Truth: The New War on Truth and How to Fight BackΒ is published by Ebury.

Claire Wardle

Claire Wardle is the Director of Research and Strategy at First Draft News.

China Mieville

China Mieville is a writer and activist.

October: The Story of the Russian Revolution is published by Verso

Lijia Zhang

Lijia Zhang is a Chinese writer, journalist and public speaker.

Lotus is published byΒ Henry Holt and Co.

Lijia is giving a on her book at Asia House, London on May 15.Β 

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Amol Rajan
Interviewed Guest Matthew d'Ancona
Interviewed Guest Claire Wardle
Interviewed Guest China MiΓ©ville
Interviewed Guest Lijia Zhang
Producer Kirsty McQuire

Broadcasts

  • Mon 15 May 2017 09:00
  • Mon 15 May 2017 21:30

Podcast