3 chapters across the catalog
The BBC has launched "BBC Verify," a new department led by Mariana Spring dedicated to fact-checking and countering disinformation. The hosts mock the initiative, particularly Spring's use of "undercover" social media accounts and her upcoming podcast series, "Mariana in Conspiracyland," which investigates the UK's alternative media movement.
Hugo Chavez, Twitter Diplomacy, Fidel Castro
Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak discuss Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez using Twitter to govern while receiving cancer treatment in Cuba. They marvel at his verified status and large follower count. The hosts joke about the possibility of the accounts being run by the U.S. State Department.
Twitter Disinformation and Source Verification Challenges
A critique of Twitter as a platform for state-sponsored disinformation highlights the difficulty of verifying anonymous sources during international conflicts. The hosts argue that NPR and other outlets are failing to provide proper context by treating retweets as definitive news. They express skepticism regarding the identity and location of individuals posting updates from conflict zones like Libya.
