The BBC is launching a new weekly podcast investigating how online narratives shape real world events.
Top Comment brings together social media investigations correspondent Marianna Spring and investigative journalist Matt Shea to analyse the biggest conversations playing out across platforms and the consequences they spark offline.
Each episode will examine trends, theories and viral moments that move from timelines into everyday life.
The series will explore how algorithms and online communities influence public debate, particularly at a time when misinformation spreads quickly and questions around what is real or fabricated are increasingly common.
Episode one looks at what is being described online as “decline porn”, content portraying liberal cities as degenerate, including narratives claiming London is dangerous.
Marianna Spring said: “Social media algorithms – and the major companies – are shaping our reality, society and politics. This is the podcast where we get inside your feeds, analysing and investigating what’s popping up and why.”
She added that “it’s never felt more important to launch a podcast like this”, describing her collaboration with Matt Shea as bringing together complementary areas of expertise.
Matt Shea said he hopes the programme becomes “the go-to place for deep analysis and original reporting on the stories that emerge when social media collides with reality.”
He added that “behind every post in our feeds, there’s a deeper story about how it got there – and why.”
Rhian Roberts, Commissioner for Podcasts and Formats, said the series is aimed at listeners who are “mystified by how and why certain news stories ever got into your feed,” promising “fearless detective work” from the hosts.
Top Comment launches on Friday 20 February on BBC Sounds, Apple, Spotify and YouTube.
