After reporting first-hand on online conspiracy theories about covid promoted at protests, I have been bombarded with horrific abuse and threats.

I am very happy the BBC has a specialist disinformation reporter investigating their impact. No-one should receive this vitriol.
After reporting first-hand on online conspiracy theories about covid promoted at protests, I have been bombarded with horrific abuse and threats. I am very happy the BBC has a specialist disinformation reporter investigating their impact. No-one should receive this vitriol.
After reporting first-hand on online conspiracy theories about covid promoted at protests, I have been bombarded with horrific abuse and threats. I am very happy the BBC has a specialist disinformation reporter investigating their impact. No-one should receive this vitriol.
After reporting first-hand on online conspiracy theories about covid promoted at protests, I have been bombarded with horrific abuse and threats. I am very happy the BBC has a specialist disinformation reporter investigating their impact. No-one should receive this vitriol.
After reporting first-hand on online conspiracy theories about covid promoted at protests, I have been bombarded with horrific abuse and threats. I am very happy the BBC has a specialist disinformation reporter investigating their impact. No-one should receive this vitriol.
I’m very used to it. But this has been extreme and coordinated - this is just a fraction.

Harmful online conspiracies about COVID and vaccines infected protests, different to medical and political debates also promoted - my job is to report on their real-world consequences.
My editor @mwendling - who also attended and witnessed what was being promoted - is also receiving abuse.

Criticism always welcome, but abuse and threats - often misogynistic for me - is not.

I try to report with empathy. Here’s more about what I do: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/my-crazy-first-year-down-the-conspiracy-theory-rabbit-hole-9bfgkz2p5
My crazy first year down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole

Almost exactly a year ago, at the age of 24, I was appointed the BBC’s first specialist disinformation and social media reporter. I had spent much of the 2019 general election campaign investigating

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/my-crazy-first-year-down-the-conspiracy-theory-rabbit-hole-9bfgkz2p5
Very grateful for all the messages I’ve received - and for such supportive colleagues.

I love doing my job - I hate this abuse. I redact names as I don’t think anyone should experience this - but I escalate threats too.

Reporting with empathy is key. https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/blogs-trending-54738471
How I talk to the victims of conspiracy theories

The BBC's specialist disinformation reporter explains how to help people who've fallen down the rabbit hole.

https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/blogs-trending-54738471
Amongst wonderful messages, a committed minority continue to send horrific abuse - including from new accounts.

I am happy to engage in conversations - but I stand by all of my reporting and have no option but to block those who incite or coordinate abuse for my own safety.
Amongst wonderful messages, a committed minority continue to send horrific abuse - including from new accounts.I am happy to engage in conversations - but I stand by all of my reporting and have no option but to block those who incite or coordinate abuse for my own safety.
Amongst wonderful messages, a committed minority continue to send horrific abuse - including from new accounts.I am happy to engage in conversations - but I stand by all of my reporting and have no option but to block those who incite or coordinate abuse for my own safety.
Amongst wonderful messages, a committed minority continue to send horrific abuse - including from new accounts.I am happy to engage in conversations - but I stand by all of my reporting and have no option but to block those who incite or coordinate abuse for my own safety.
Amongst wonderful messages, a committed minority continue to send horrific abuse - including from new accounts.I am happy to engage in conversations - but I stand by all of my reporting and have no option but to block those who incite or coordinate abuse for my own safety.
But overwhelmingly positive messages - including ones like this!

Here’s some of my reports into the real-world impact of online conspiracies. I’m also investigating online abuse - get in touch!

👉 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-56762061
👉 https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-trending-55355911
👉 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000scy8
You can follow @mariannaspring.
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