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
Oct 23
Five ways El Niño is affecting weather around the world
El Niño has been strengthening for several months now and is already having a significant impact on global weather patterns.Countries including Indonesia, India and the United States have been experiencing droughts, floods and heatwaves in line with projections about how extreme ... Show More
10m 39s
Oct 22
Hangxiety: Why some people experience anxiety after drinking alcohol
After drinking alcohol, some people don’t just have a headache - they feel guilt, dread, low mood and a deep sense of embarrassment. It’s known as ‘hang-xiety’ or hangover anxiety, and science backs up that it’s a real phenomenon. Alcohol affects all systems in the body, includin ... Show More
8m 58s
Oct 21
How have the protests in France changed?
Protests are still ongoing across France, but now it’s no longer just about schools. People of all ages are protesting over a high cost of living. But there was violence and riots over the weekend, with thousands of arrests.Dramatic pictures of wreckage, fires and police clampdow ... Show More
9m 10s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2021
Big Names, Big Influence
Celebrities can have an outsized influence on the way we think. Don and Chris discuss three public figures making headlines lately, on Twitter and at the Met Gala. They also talk about the importance of being able to respectfully disagree with each other. To learn more about how ... Show More
23m 59s
May 2024
Blockout2024 And How Social Media Gamified Political Issues
<p>Following the luxury of the Met Gala - and one influencer's mistimed 'Let Them Eat Cake" lip synch - the internet is demanding action from the celebrity class in response to the ongoing genocide in Palestine. The #BlockOut2024 encourages social media users to block celebrities ... Show More
29m 32s
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
Jan 2021
Social Media, Censorship & Political Bias - SimplyPodLogical #46
On this episode of SimplyPodLogical, Cristine and Ben discuss social media, free speech, whether social media bans work, and if "big tech" has a political bias. 
57m 3s
Feb 2024
Watch This
U.S. response to Iran’s actions, the weight of celebrity endorsements, Mark Zuckerberg apologizes, and a report from Sundance. This week on The Bulletin, hosts Mike Cosper, Nicole Martin, and Russell Moore discuss the recent attacks in the Middle East and the complexity of respon ... Show More
43m 49s
Nov 2022
Little influencers, big business
Parents are turning their kids into influencers on social media. What could go wrong? This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram, who also edited. Transcript at vox.com/todayexp ... Show More
26m 6s
Mar 2023
Time’s up: America debates TikTok’s future
<p>Links with China and allegations of surveillance have highlighted the threat that the social-media app may pose to national security. There is bipartisan support for some regulation—but could there be an <a href="https://www.economist.com/united-states/2023/03/23/america-may-b ... Show More
25m 25s