logo
episode-header-image
Feb 2024
11m 26s

How free are celebs to get political onl...

Bbc World Service
About this episode

Social media can be a messy business full of opinions and celebrity influence. But can celebs speak freely online, and what happens when they do?

In some parts of the world celebs and influencers are sometimes censored from sharing opinions altogether, unless they align with the state.

We look at three countries: Egypt, India and China. The BBC’s Jaidaa Taha in Egypt talks us through what footballer Mo Salah has said online. Rupsha Mukherjee, a BBC reporter based in India, explains why actor Chetan Kumar was arrested over a tweet. And Kerry Allen, the BBC’s Chinese Media Analyst, shares what’s allowed, and what’s not, in China.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Jaidaa Taha, Emily Horler, Mora Morrison and Benita Barden Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Up next
Today
Footballers banned from covering their mouths at the World Cup
Under new rules brought in by Fifa, footballers who cover their mouths during verbal confrontations will be sent off at this year’s World Cup. It’s hoped that these measures will help prevent abusive behaviour.Some critics of the rule say that footballers speaking with their shir ... Show More
8m 57s
Yesterday
Is Ube the new matcha?
Ube — a vibrant purple yam indigenous to the Philippines — has been a staple of Filipino cuisine for thousands of years. But only recently has it surged in popularity abroad. It is now appearing as an ingredient and flavouring in desserts, pastries and coffees, from small indepen ... Show More
10m 55s
Apr 27
Who is the suspected Washington dinner gunman?
The White House Correspondents' Dinner is a swanky event - the famous journalists and politicians that go are all dressed in their best tuxes and gowns. Donald Trump and his wife Melania were sat on the very long top table. But on Saturday night’s event, a gunman tried to get int ... Show More
8m 56s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2022
Political influencers for hire – in Kenya
Ahead of Kenya’s general election, a bitter war for public opinion was being fought on social media. In a bid to sway the result, online influencers – from students to pop stars – were offered cash in exchange for political messages. Critics say that paid political messages are s ... Show More
24m 13s
Nov 2022
China's Lockdown Protests
Thousands take to the streets in China to protest against Xi Jinping’s Covid lockdown restrictions. Adam is joined by John Simpson, the BBC’s world affairs editor and Kerry Allen, the BBC’s China media analyst to discuss what’s happening, what it’s like to be arrested as a journa ... Show More
31m 35s
Jan 2023
How can African journalists challenge the dominant news narrative?
News, news, news – we love it here on Africa Daily. We like to chat about what’s happening where, to whom, why….Another man who lives and breathes the news it is Patrick Gathara. He’s a man of many talents – drawing political cartoons, but also writing editorials for internationa ... Show More
13m 41s
Nov 2022
Political Football
Post-match political analysis from the Newscast line-up.As the World Cup opens in Qatar, Adam is joined by a line-up of correspondents to analyse events on and (mainly) off the pitch.Jack Murley, host of the BBC’s LGBT Sport podcast, talks about the decision for England and Wales ... Show More
32m 53s
Dec 2019
Can we protect our elections from social media manipulators?
An estimated 2.6 billion people use social media, but in the online world not everything is what it seems. Fake accounts and automatic programmes can be used to spread disinformation and influence political narratives. We hear from experts across the world about how elections hav ... Show More
23m 20s
May 2024
Blockout 2024: celebrities face backlash over Gaza
<p>Now trending: the ‘digital guillotine.’ It’s a campaign known as Blockout 2024 to block celebrities on social media. Launched after the Met Gala in New York, it’s meant to hurt celebrities’ ad revenue. Will it have an impact?</p> <p><strong>In this episode: </strong><strong></ ... Show More
16m 17s
May 2024
How deepfakes in India are changing the world’s largest election
<p>From the resurrection of dead leaders, to cloned voices of politicians and Bollywood stars, political campaigns are shaking up India’s general election by heavily investing in AI technology. Could it be a blueprint for elections everywhere? </p> <p><strong>In this episode: </s ... Show More
18m 20s