Marianna in Conspiracyland

When Julia Wandelt posted on social media that she believed she was Madeleine McCann, she became a lightning rod for online anger. In the first of a new series exploring extraordinary cases of online hate and the possibility of forgiveness, Marianna Spring, the BBC's Disinformation and social media correspondent, speaks to Julia about her motives and regrets. Listen to more episodes of Why Do You Hate Me on BBC Sounds or wherever you get your podcasts. For this series, Marianna Spring (one of the most trolled BBC journalists) dives into her inbox and investigates a different extraordinary case of online hate to find out. She meets the people at the heart of these conflicts, and in some cases brings them together, to see if understanding - even forgiveness - is ever possible. Subscribe to BBC Sounds to hear the episodes first.And watch the episodes on BBC iPlayer too. If you have been affected by some of the issues raised in this programme, please visit bbc.co.uk/actionline. Host: Marianna Spring Series Producer: Emma Close Producer: Ben Carter
 Editor: Sam Bonham
Commissioning editor: Rhian Roberts Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell Production co-ordinator: Rosie StrawbridgeArchive credits: Peteski Productions distributed through CBS Media Ventures.

The online world can be a breeding ground for hate. But why do some people behave the way they do on social media? In each episode, the BBC's Disinformation and social media correspondent Marianna Spring - one of the most trolled BBC journalists - dives into her inbox and investigates a different extraordinary case of online hate to find out. She meets the people at the heart of these conflicts, and in some cases brings them together, to see if understanding - even forgiveness - is ever possible. Producers: Emma Close and Ben Carter Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Editor: Sam Bonham

Marianna travels to Dublin to investigate a court case unfolding against the Irish Light conspiracy theory newspaper. Edel Campbell and her lawyer have been targeted by an extreme campaign of abuse after suing The Light which falsely claimed Edel’s son Diego died from a Covid vaccine, when in reality he had died by suicide. Conspiracy theorists worldwide have used dozens of tragic deaths to spread vaccine misinformation. This case is thought to be the first where a relative has sued. And what is the cost of taking action like this?

In this bonus episode, the BBC’S International Editor Jeremy Bowen and Disinformation and Social Media Correspondent Marianna Spring talk about their respective new podcasts: Frontlines of Journalism and Marianna in Conspiracyland. They reflect on the obstacles that stand between journalists and the truth and the conspiracy theory movement that seems to have boomed in the UK after Covid. Exploring the similarities and differences of their journalistic specialisms, they discuss techniques to hold interviewees to account – especially when their position is based on disinformation - and the significance of social media in modern journalism.Host: Marianna Spring Producers: Georgia Catt, Emma Close Producer for BBC Radio 4 podcasts: Nathan Jones Senior news editor: Sam Bonham Commissioner: Rhian Roberts

What will happen next in Conspiracyland? In the final episode, Marianna is back where she started, in the Devon town of Totnes. With the help of locals, she makes sense of the legacy left by the conspiracy theory newspaper and the wider movement all over the UK. Host: Marianna Spring Producers: Philip Marzouk and Olivia Lace-Evans Producer for BBC Radio 4 podcasts: Nathan Jones Technical Producer: Alex Portfelix Series producer: Emma Close Senior news editor: Sam Bonham Commissioner: Rhian RobertsNew episodes released every Monday. If you're in the UK, listen to the whole series first on BBC Sounds.And please get in touch with Marianna by emailing at: mariannainconspiracyland@bbc.co.uk.

Do you know someone who’s fallen down the rabbit hole? During the investigation, Marianna’s inbox has been filled with messages from people sharing their stories about those they know and love who’ve been sucked into conspiracy theories. With the help of social psychologist Karen Douglas, Marianna explores how people find themselves in Conspiracyland, why they stay, and how some managed to escape.Host: Marianna Spring Producers: Philip Marzouk, Olivia Lace-Evans Producer for BBC Radio 4 podcasts: Nathan Jones Technical Producer: Neva Missirian Series producer: Emma Close Senior news editor: Sam Bonham Commissioner: Rhian RobertsIf you’ve been impacted by any of the issues that have come up in this podcast, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/actionline. And please get in touch with Marianna by emailing at: mariannainconspiracyland@bbc.co.uk.

Could people in the UK conspiracy theory movement ever become violent? Returning to the UK, BBC disinformation and social media correspondent Marianna Spring meets possibly the only person outside of the movement who has read as much of the Light as her: political scientist at King’s College London Dr Rod Dacombe. What insights will he have for Marianna from his years studying The Light and the conspiracy theory movement in the UK? Host: Marianna Spring Producers: Philip Marzouk and Olivia Lace-Evans Producer for BBC Radio 4 podcasts: Nathan Jones Technical Producer: Tom Brignell and Neva Missirian Series producer: Emma Close Senior news editor: Sam Bonham Commissioner: Rhian RobertsNew episodes released every few days. If you're in the UK, listen to the whole series first on BBC Sounds bbc.in/42x5sO5And please get in touch with Marianna by emailing at: mariannainconspiracyland@bbc.co.uk.

Former columnist expresses concern about radicalization of German conspiracy theory newspaper. Marianna explores link between UK and Germany's conspiracy theory movements. Connections unveiled between democratic resistance paper and far-right group. Discussion on political views and extremism. Importance of dialogue and appeal of conspiracy theories.

Jorg, a journalist covering conspiracy theories in Germany, discusses the rise of attacks on journalists and the role of Democratic Resistance. The podcast explores parallels between UK and German conspiracy theory movements, emergence of pro-protein activists, and the spread of disinformation through the Democratic Resistance. It also highlights increasing hostility towards journalists in Germany, connection between Reichberger movement and wider conspiracy theory movement, and potential links between German and UK conspiracy theory newspapers.

The podcast explores the funding behind a UK conspiracy theory newspaper and interviews one of the advertisers, discussing wizards, goddesses, and his motivations. It also investigates the impact of conspiracy theory media on radicalization, explores alternative retreats and quirky communities, and delves into the consequences and justifications for crimes against humanity related to the COVID-19 vaccine.