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Fear vs Fact

In this edition of the Why Factor, Mike Williams asks if we now live in a post-factual age — where messages of fear dominate and the truth goes unspoken or unheard?

Mike Williams asks if we now live in a post-factual age — where messages of fear dominate and the truth goes unspoken or unheard? He investigates the “Backfire Effect” which means that entrenched views can become more entrenched – when confronted by contradictory facts. Politicians are often accused of distorting the truth – with Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump the latest.

(Image - Group of people standing with one holding a newspaper with the headline "Earth Doomed". Credit - Everett Collection via Shutterstock)

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18 minutes

Last on

Mon 8 Aug 201614:32GMT
BBC World Service except News Internet

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  • Fri 5 Aug 201621:32GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & News Internet
  • Mon 8 Aug 201602:32GMT
    BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East, Online & UK DAB/Freeview only
  • Mon 8 Aug 201603:32GMT
    BBC World Service East Asia
  • Mon 8 Aug 201604:32GMT
    BBC World Service Australasia
  • Mon 8 Aug 201606:32GMT
    BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East & East and Southern Africa only
  • Mon 8 Aug 201614:32GMT
    BBC World Service except News Internet

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