Marianna Spring: The BBC Journalist Investigating Disinformation, Conspiracy Theories and Online Abuse

Marianna Spring has become one of the most recognisable British journalists specialising in misinformation, disinformation and the impact of social media. Her work for the BBC has taken her into some of the most complicated areas of the modern information environment, from viral conspiracy theories and online abuse to the ways false claims spread across digital platforms. She became the BBC’s first specialist disinformation and social media reporter and has reported for programmes including Newsnight, Panorama, BBC News and Radio

Early Interest in Journalism

Marianna Spring’s interest in journalism began remarkably early. In an interview with the Royal Television Society, she recalled watching BBC World News while on holiday when she was around eight years old. Her interest continued through school and university, where she gained practical experience writing for student and local publications.

Spring later attended the University of Oxford, studying French and Russian. During her education, she continued developing her journalism experience and also spent part of her studies abroad. After university, she worked shifts at The Guardian before establishing a career in broadcast journalism.

Her early path into the BBC was not completely straightforward. Spring has spoken about being rejected from the BBC’s graduate training scheme. Instead of abandoning her ambitions, she contacted journalists she admired. Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis responded, eventually giving Spring an opportunity to work on the programme. That experience helped provide her with an entry point into the BBC.

Becoming a Specialist in Disinformation

Spring’s career developed alongside the rapid expansion of social media as a source of news, political discussion and viral information. She began reporting on misinformation and disinformation around elections, including the UK’s 2019 election and the US election in 2020.

In 2020, she became the BBC’s first specialist disinformation and social media correspondent. Her work focuses not simply on whether something circulating online is false, but also on the people involved, how information spreads and what consequences misleading material can have in the real world.

The Royal Television Society describes her journalism as investigating the real-life consequences of viral conspiracy theories, falsehoods and abuse shared through social media. Her reporting has appeared across television, radio and online platforms, including BBC News, Panorama, Newsnight, Radio 4 and the World Service.

Investigating the Human Side of Misinformation

One distinctive aspect of Marianna Spring’s journalism is her focus on the human stories behind online misinformation. Rather than treating conspiracy theories purely as internet phenomena, her reporting has examined the people who create, promote and become affected by them.

Her investigations have included stories about conspiracy communities, false claims and online harassment. The Royal Television Society has highlighted her work investigating the human cost of misinformation, including cases in which misleading information circulated widely online and had serious consequences for individuals.

This approach has helped make social-media investigations a central part of Spring’s professional identity. Her work demonstrates how a post, video or online claim can move beyond a screen and affect people’s reputations, relationships, safety and understanding of major events.

Reporting on Online Abuse

Spring’s work has also exposed her to considerable online abuse. Because her reporting frequently examines conspiracy theories and misinformation, she has become a target for some of the communities and individuals she investigates.

At a 2024 Royal Television Society event, Spring discussed the abuse she had received after reporting on social-media activity and online trolling. The RTS reported that more than 80% of all online abuse directed at BBC journalists during the first six months of 2023 was aimed at Spring.

Her experience has therefore become part of the wider discussion about the risks faced by journalists who investigate online communities. Spring has spoken publicly about the distinction between legitimate criticism and extreme abuse, including threats directed at journalists because of their work.

Among the Trolls

In March 2024, Marianna Spring expanded her reporting into book form with Among the Trolls: My Journey Through Conspiracyland. Published by Atlantic Books, the book examines online trolling, conspiracy theories, misinformation and the people caught up in these communities.

The book draws on Spring’s first-hand reporting and interviews. Atlantic Books describes it as an exploration of both the people spreading conspiracy theories and those affected by them. It reflects the same investigative approach that has characterised her BBC journalism.

The subject also connects directly with her broadcast work. Before and around the publication of the book, Spring worked on podcasts and documentaries dealing with disinformation, including Disaster Trolls, Death by Conspiracy and War on Truth. She also presented investigations for Panorama.

Recognition and Awards

Spring’s journalism has received recognition from the media industry. She was included in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for Media and Marketing in 2021, reflecting her growing profile as a specialist journalist.

Her work has also been recognised by the Royal Television Society. She was nominated for Young Talent at the RTS Television Journalism Awards and later won the RTS Television Journalism Awards 2023 Innovation prize, according to RTS coverage of her work.

These recognitions reflect the increasing importance of specialist reporting about social media and the information environment. Spring’s career has developed at a time when journalists have had to investigate not only traditional sources of information but also rapidly changing online communities and platforms.

Marianna Spring’s Journalism Today

Marianna Spring’s career illustrates how journalism has evolved alongside the internet. Her specialist role combines traditional reporting techniques such as interviews and source verification with investigations into digital platforms, online communities and the spread of information.

Her work has also highlighted an important challenge for modern journalism: determining how information that begins online can influence people offline. By investigating the people behind viral claims and documenting the consequences of online misinformation, Spring has made disinformation reporting a central part of her professional career.

For readers interested in journalism, social media and the changing information landscape, Marianna Spring’s career offers a useful example of how a specialist reporting field has emerged alongside the growth of digital media. Her journey from student journalism and early work at The Guardian to becoming a specialist BBC correspondent shows how persistence and a developing area of expertise can shape a modern journalism career. The story of Marianna Spring continues to be closely connected with the changing relationship between social media, news and public information, making her work a notable subject for anyone following the future of journalism. The Pure Magazine brings together stories such as this to explore the people, careers and ideas shaping contemporary culture and society.

FAQs About Marianna Spring

Who is Marianna Spring?

Marianna Spring is a British journalist and BBC correspondent specialising in disinformation, misinformation, social media investigations and conspiracy theories.

What is Marianna Spring known for?

She is particularly known for investigating misinformation, conspiracy theories, online abuse and the real-world effects of information shared through social-media platforms.

What is Marianna Spring’s book called?

Her book is titled Among the Trolls: My Journey Through Conspiracyland, published by Atlantic Books in 2024.

Did Marianna Spring work for Newsnight?

Yes. Early in her BBC career, she gained work on Newsnight after contacting journalists at the corporation, including presenter Emily Maitlis.

What did Marianna Spring study at Oxford?

She studied French and Russian at the University of Oxford.

Why is Marianna Spring’s work significant?

Her journalism focuses on how misinformation and conspiracy theories spread through social media and how online claims can have consequences beyond the internet.

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