Earth Scientists Emma Greenough and James Panton investigate the seismic impact of a Taylor Swift concert. Social media expert Marianna Spring and Prof. Martin Innes discuss tracking election disinformation. BBC correspondent Pallab Ghosh explains election manifestos. Horticulturalist Solene Dequiret examines rare blooming corpse flowers at Kew Gardens.
Disinformation on social media during elections includes doctored videos and coordinated networks spreading false news.
Foreign entities like Russian operatives use disinformation campaigns online for both geopolitical and profit-driven motives.
Deep dives
Disinformation Challenges in Election Campaigns
Disinformation poses a significant challenge in election campaigns with misleading content being spread across social media platforms. Examples include doctored videos shared on platforms like TikTok and fake clips surfacing on X (formerly known as Twitter). Researchers track various forms of disinformation, including dodgy statistics, deepfakes, and coordinated account networks spreading false news to influence public discourse and perceptions.
Foreign Influence and Commercial Disinformation Operations
Researchers have identified foreign influence, such as Russian disinformation operations like Doppelganger, manipulating narratives online for commercial gains. Doppelganger utilizes disposable social media accounts to spread misinformation, linking unrelated topics like Princess Diana rumors to disparaging Ukrainian efforts. This reveals a blend of geopolitical messaging and profit-driven disinformation efforts by commercial entities.
Political Parties' Stances on Research Funding and Immigration Policies
As the UK parties vie for votes, disparities emerge in their promises regarding research funding and immigration policies. The Conservatives plan to increase research spending by £2 billion annually and impose stricter immigration rules, while Labour seeks to reform immigration systems and the Liberal Democrats aim for research spending growth. Other parties like the Greens prioritize research investment in climate change sectors and advocate for lenient immigration measures.
Taylor Swift fans danced so hard they made the ground shake at her recent Edinburgh gig so this week we’re meeting Earth Scientists Emma Greenough and James Panton to measure the Cardiff show - and explain some Swiftie Seismology.
We’re joined by the BBC’s disinformation and social media correspondent Marianna Spring and Cardiff University's Professor Martin Innes to talk the science of tracking election disinformation on social media.
What’s in the election manifestos? BBC science correspondent Pallab Ghosh explains all.
And Marnie dashes to Kew Gardens to meet horticulturalist Solene Dequiret, hoping to be in time to see two very foul-smelling plants in very rare bloom.
Nose pegs at the ready...
Presenter: Marnie Chesterton
Producers: Gerry Holt, Katie Tomsett & Ella Hubber
Editor: Martin Smith
Production Co-ordinator: Jana Bennett-Holesworth
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