The BBC’s first-ever specialist disinformation and social media reporter, Marianna Spring, has spent the past year down the online conspiracy rabbit hole, investigating the real-world impact of disinformation being shared on social media. Families have been torn apart, lives lost and violence inspired. What’s it like speaking to the victims and leaders of these online conspiracy networks – and what’s the best approach?

Marianna Spring is the award-winning specialist disinformation and social media reporter for BBC News and World Service. Previously, she worked for BBC Newsnight and on the Guardian news desk and makes frequent appearances on BBC TV segments including recently presenting on BBC Panorama about her investigation into anti-vaccine content. Recently Marianna was named on the Forbes 30 under 30 Europe list.