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Bethan John

Profile

Bethan is a social media journalist at First Draft in London, investigating information disorder and supporting global CrossCheck projects. After completing a Masters in Digital Journalism at Goldsmiths, she became the Google News Initiative Fellow at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (2019). Prior to this, she worked in the documentary film industry. Bethan also has a degree in German and History from the University of Edinburgh.

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@bethanjhn

Author's News

An introduction to live audio social media and misinformation

What ‘the pivot to audio’ means for misinformation research and platform moderation.

How fringe candidates use misinformation to gain outsized online influence

Social media allows some fringe candidates to gain online reach they wouldn't otherwise have

We need to know more about political ads. But can transparency be a trap?

The complexities and contradictions of calls for increased transparency around online advertising.

What is Birdwatch?

What you need to know about Twitter's new content moderation plan.

The return to old-school methods to sow chaos

Leaflets, billboards, emails, SMS and robocalls spread false information about Covid-19 and the US election

The first six months of the pandemic, as told by the fact checks

First Draft has analyzed 9,722 fact checks to tell the story of pandemic misinformation through the work of those fighting it.

Covering coronavirus: Privacy and security tips for journalists

Insights from First Draft's session on best practices and good habits to protect yourself during online investigations into coronavirus misinformation

Ethical questions for covering coronavirus online: Key takeaways for journalists

First Draft's co-founder and US director and ethics and standards editor share their advice.

3 lessons on the coronavirus 'infodemic' from experts and tech companies

From human psychology to the power of influencers, here are some of the key talking points from the UK Parliament's session on coronavirus misinformation

Coronavirus: How are the social media platforms responding to the 'infodemic'?

As rumours and hoaxes about Covid-19 spread, here's how the biggest platforms are working to tackle misinformation.

Brexit Party and Scottish Conservative officials behind Facebook ads attacking Labour

The people behind City Action and Capitalist Worker registered as non-party campaigners to advertise in the UK's general election.

UK Election: The main parties embrace a local digital strategy to win over voters

From local hospitals to a wind farm and schools, some parties are tackling regional issues head on, while others send the same message to targeted seats.

UK Election: How political parties are targeting voters on Facebook, Google and Snapchat ads

From soft colour palettes to macho slogans, First Draft research has uncovered a range of strategies being used by political parties to target voters via Facebook, Google and Snapchat ads.

Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson targeted with disinformation by left- and right-leaning voices over Brexit

As the UK approaches its second Brexit deadline and a general election looms in the not-too-distant future, social media activity around many political figures has stepped up dramatically.