Learning English

Calls for ban on 'anti-vax' social media

'Anti-vaxers', people who say they are against vaccines, have been expressing their opinions about the trials of the new Covid-19 vaccine. In the UK, some people have called for bans on these types of posts. Tom and Neil have the vocabulary you need to talk about this story.

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The story

The government has taken steps to address this. It came to an agreement with the big online tech companies, Facebook, Twitter, Google and others, last week to take steps to work with public health authorities.

But Labour say that if anyone is persuaded, even one person, not to have the vaccine as a result of misinformation then that is one person too many and this is a matter of life and death.

Key words and phrases

outlaw
make illegal or ban

• The government has promised a bill to outlaw hate speech on social media.
• Drink-driving has been outlawed in the UK since the 1960s.

nonsensical
stupid or silly

• The angry Twitter rant contained several nonsensical claims.
• The jury found the defendant’s claims to be completely nonsensical.

peddled
spread as an idea in order to cause acceptance 

• Critics say that misinformation is being peddled through the platform.
• The programme was known to peddle celebrity gossip and rumours.

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