Sorting fact from fiction in a post-truth world

When social media micro-targeting is shaping political views and ‘alternative facts’ abound, is there any hope for democracy? Cognitive psychologist Professor Stephan Lewandowsky explains why we still believe something to be true, even after we have been told it is not, and why we are all so willing to believe what we read - including fake news. In our post-truth era he suggests we all need to become a little more cynical, to ward off misinformation and guard against its potential to manipulate.
Episode recorded: March 26, 2018
Interviewer: Dr Andi Horvath
Producers: Chris Hatzis, Dr Andi Horvath
Engineer and editor: Chris Hatzis
Banner image: Getty Images

When social media micro-targeting is shaping political views and ‘alternative facts’ abound, is there any hope for democracy? Cognitive psychologist Professor Stephan Lewandowsky explains why we still believe something to be true, even after we have been told it is not, and why we are all so willing to believe what we read - including fake news. In our post-truth era he suggests we all need to become a little more cynical, to ward off misinformation and guard against its potential to manipulate.

Episode recorded: March 26, 2018

Interviewer: Dr Andi Horvath

Producers: Chris Hatzis, Dr Andi Horvath

Engineer and editor: Chris Hatzis

Banner image: Getty Images