Main content

Votes, viruses, victims: 2020 in disinformation

Some of the most extraordinary events of 2020 were fuelled by falsehoods, propaganda and conspiracy theories. We hear about a few of the most viral and discover what happened next.

From the global pandemic to the US election, the extraordinary events of 2020 have both fuelled, and been shaped by, the online spread of falsehoods, propaganda and bizarre conspiracy theories.

Trending’s Mike Wendling and Marianna Spring, the ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ’s specialist disinformation reporter, look back at some of the most viral rumours, how they debunked them, and discover what happened next.

Producer: Jonathan Griffin

Picture caption: Photo illustration of a phone showing β€œfake news”

Picture credit: ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ

Available now

53 minutes

Last on

Boxing Day 2020 00:06GMT
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service

More episodes

Previous

The truth behind a β€˜woke’ Instagram network

Next

The anti-vax influencer plot that flopped

See all episodes from Trending

Broadcasts

  • Christmas Day 2020 10:06GMT
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service
  • Boxing Day 2020 00:06GMT
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ World Service

Podcast

  • Trending

    In-depth reporting on the world of social media