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Top Comment

BBC
Disinformation
Social Media
Conspiracy Theories
Online Hate
Israel-Palestine Conflict
Trolling
Las Vegas Shooting
Misogyny
Psychological Impact
Deepfakes
Social Media Trolling
Football
Mental Health
Hate Speech
Algorithms
Donald Trump
Mass Shootings
Public Safety
Election Workers
Doxxing

The story behind your social media feed, from BBC correspondent Marianna Spring and investigative journalist Matt Shea.

Top Comment investigates what's blowing up online. From global events that go viral across social media, to bizarre moments that spill into real life, Marianna and Matt unpack the trends, theories and digital chaos shaping our world.

You can register for Castfest tickets here: h... more

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Latest Episodes

Lego-inspired characters depicting conflict in the Middle East. This Iranian brand of so-called slopaganda has been viewed hundreds of millions of times and it is colouring the conversation around the US and Israel's war with Iran. On this episode, w... more

When newly-elected Green Party MP Hannah Spencer gave her maiden speech on International Women's Day, she was subject to a torrent of online abuse targeting her appearance, with one user on X prompting Grok to "smarten up" her look. The chatbot conti... more

After a California jury found Meta and YouTube liable in a landmark social media addiction case, we explain why the platforms you use may soon be unrecognisable. Plus - an exclusive interview with an expert witness from the trial, the world-leading a... more

How has an algorithmic arms race created an environment where controversial and incendiary content is routinely amplified on our feeds? On this episode, Marianna discusses her latest investigation, which provides a paper trail showing how social medi... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Anna Lembke
Author of Dopamine Nation; addiction psychiatrist; expert witness in the California trial
Stanford University / Addiction Medicine
Episode: Meta, YouTube, and a damning addiction verdict
Lindsay Rust-Purper
information aggregator on Nancy Guthrie case from New York
Independent influencer / online sleuth
Episode: Nancy Guthrie, TikTok sleuths, and Starmer's cringeposting era
Jordan Roan
TikTok analyst and investigator
Independent influencer / online sleuth
Episode: Nancy Guthrie, TikTok sleuths, and Starmer's cringeposting era
Sean Topham
political digital strategy consultant
Topham-Gwarham (agency)
Episode: Nancy Guthrie, TikTok sleuths, and Starmer's cringeposting era
Kate Shemarani
Paloma's mother and conspiracy theory influencer
Episode: Marianna in Conspiracyland 2: 1. The Dove and the Pigeon
Eni Aluko
A decorated former footballer and successful pundit
BBC Sport
Episode: Why Do You Hate Me?: 5. I Went Inside The World Of The Trolled And The Troll
Sadiq Khan
Mayor of London
London Mayor's Office
Episode: Why Do You Hate Me?: 3. Sadiq Khan: I Didn’t Say That!
Julia Wandelt
A young woman who claimed to be Madeleine McCann based on her personal experiences and traumas
Episode: Why Do You Hate Me?: 1. I Regret Posting Online That I Was Madeleine McCann

Host

Marianna Spring
BBC's social media investigations correspondent

Reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars from 905 ratings
  • Stop saying ‘like’.

    Quite interesting, good subject matter but it’s very grinding to hear someone saying ‘like’ in almost every sentence.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    hannakuso
    United Kingdom20 days ago
  • The Truth is not there

    In the War On Truth series, Marianna selected some very interesting representatives of the truth in Russia.

    Sergei Buntman is a true intellectual and he is a nice and kind person… he is definitely pro truth and against war…where it concerns Russia-Ukraine….

    How adamant and righteous Elena Servetas is!

    In truth, both of them and so many of the Russian journalists in exile, of whom Buntman spoke so warmly, were consistently and systematically dehumanising Palestinians, when it came to Israeli att... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Ksmoldy
    United Arab Emiratesa month ago
  • She’s Back

    Know this is going to be great. Nice to hear you again.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ithoughttoolong
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • When Alternative Medicine Harms

    Such an important but sad listen. Great journalism about how wrong Social Influencers can be. As Tim Minchin said, ‘you know what they call alternative medicine that's been proved to work? Medicine’.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Russtheblanker
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Marianna

    I love this podcast, this is the first one of Marianna’s podcasts I have heard. Easy to listen too, lovely voice! Hope there is more!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J mc G
    Ireland5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some criticisms focus on the depth of analysis in certain episodes, indicating a desire for more substantial insights.
Overall, the podcast is praised for its relevance and quality of content, striking a chord with contemporary issues.
The blend of personal stories with investigative journalism is highly valued.
Listeners appreciate the thorough and sensitive handling of complex topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#64
United States/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#6
United Kingdom/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#25
Canada/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#216
United Kingdom/News
Apple Podcasts
#20
Italy/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#34
Australia/News/Tech News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Nancy Guthrie, TikTok sleuths, and Starmer's cringeposting era
Q: How do platforms' algorithms affect political narratives and public perception?
Algorithms prioritize engaging, often sensational content, which can amplify certain messages and force politicians to tailor their communications to maximize visibility, sometimes at the expense of accuracy or nuance.
Nancy Guthrie, TikTok sleuths, and Starmer's cringeposting era
Q: What motivates online sleuths to engage with missing-person cases, and what are the risks?
Sleuths are driven by curiosity and a desire to contribute, but the main risks include spreading misinformation, misidentifying people, and potentially endangering investigations or violating individuals' rights.
Nancy Guthrie, TikTok sleuths, and Starmer's cringeposting era
Q: Why does TikTok work for some politicians but not for others like Keir Starmer?
Experts suggested that matching the public persona with the platform's audience is critical; politicians who come off as genuine and relatable tend to perform better, while those seen as inauthentic or out of touch are penalized by the format's expectations.
Marianna in Conspiracyland 2: 6. The Inquest
Q: What did the coroner conclude about Paloma's death?
The coroner stated that Paloma was influenced and misinformed, and without such influence, she would have chosen to pursue treatment.
Marianna in Conspiracyland 2: 6. The Inquest
Q: How can we protect people from being misled by misinformation when they're unwell?
It's complex and it feels like we're still in a diagnostic phase, identifying the weak points in our social systems.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About Top Comment

What is Top Comment about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast provides an insightful exploration into the dynamics of social media, investigating how various trends and narratives emerge and evolve in the digital sphere. Hosted by an experienced BBC correspondent and an investigative journalist, it dissects both the significant global events and peculiar phenomena that resonate with audiences online. Episodes cover a wide range of topics grounded in thorough research, often intertwining personal stories with broader societal issues, making it a unique offering that combines journalism with storytelling. The podcast also discusses the impact of misinformation and the role social media plays in shaping opinions and behaviors, enhancing its relevance in today's digital landscape.

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Which podcasts are similar to Top Comment?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Top Comment:

1. The Slow Newscast
2. Americast
3. The News Agents
4. File on 4 Investigates
5. The News Agents - USA

How many episodes of Top Comment are there?

Top Comment launched 3 years ago and published 76 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Top Comment?

Recent guests on Top Comment include:

1. Anna Lembke
2. Lindsay Rust-Purper
3. Jordan Roan
4. Sean Topham
5. Kate Shemarani
6. Eni Aluko
7. Sadiq Khan
8. Julia Wandelt

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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