MY NAME IS MARIANNA SPRING AND SOME OF MY TROLLS SAY THEY WANT TO KILL ME . . .
Threats and abuse litter Marianna’s social media feeds. She is one of the most consistently trolled journalists working at the BBC. They infect her everyday life. Sometimes the people behind the messages try to find her in person. This seems to be the price of venturing into the world of conspiracy theories, hate and algorithms. And it turns out, she is far from alone.
In 2020, Marianna became the BBC’s first disinformation and social media correspondent, and since then she has been trying to understand conspiracy-land. Where does the vitriol come from? What drives otherwise reasonable people to believe that almost everything – from the worst attacks and wars to global health crises and climate change – is a hoax designed to kill or control millions of us?
Marianna Spring will be ‘In Conversation’ with Prof. Karen Douglas, discussing her new book ‘Among The Trolls’ , where she recounts the first-hand stories of the trolls and the trolled, those behind the information battle that threatens not just the way society works, but also some of the qualities we value most about being human: respect, fairness, tolerance, integrity and kindness.
AUTHOR Biography
Marianna Spring is the BBC's first disinformation and social media correspondent and an award-winning journalist. She has presented podcasts and documentaries investigating disinformation and social media for BBC Radio 4 podcasts - 'Death by Conspiracy', 'Disaster Trolls', 'Marianna in Conspiracyland' and'Why Do You Hate Me?' - as well as for BBC Panorama and BBC Three. She is also one of the presenters of the BBC's Americast podcast. In 2022, she was named the British Press Guild's Audio Presenter of the year and Royal Television Society Innovation winner.
CHAIR BIOGRAPHY
Karen Douglas is Professor of Social Psychology at the University of Kent and she is currently the director of the ERC funded project 'Conspiracy_FX - Consequences of conspiracy theories'.
Karen studies the psychology of conspiracy theories, why they appeal to so many people, and the consequences of such beliefs on individuals, groups and societies.
Marianna Spring will also be signing copies of her latest book, Among The Trolls, which will be available to purchase on the night.
DOORS OPEN : 19:00
TALK STARTS : 19:30
AUDIENCE Q&A : 20:30
BOOK SIGNING : 21:00
Brighthink is a non-profit organisation, none of our invited speakers charge for their time, and proceeds from ticket sales go towards the running costs that allow us to put on these events for the public.