Podcast
Who is behind false or defamatory posts on social media? In the podcast, an expert explains what role so-called bots play – and what you can do against hate on the Internet.
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“Seven out of ten posts about Angela Merkel are at least partially wrong,” says Barbara Costanzo in the podcast, “important today”. The psychologist is responsible for “Social Engagement” at Deutsche Telekom and also analyzes where false reports and hate messages come from. It is becoming more and more apparent to her that fake news is produced by so-called bots – that is, by programmed systems that automatically set “likes”, comment on or entire posts. This then leads to the fact that a post with a lot of likes appears credible, even though no real person likes it.
More moral courage
So that the social networks do not become anti-social networks, the so-called “fellow readers” also have to do something, according to Costanzo. “I want people to stand up. I want people to show moral courage and not just accept that the digital world, which has immense advantages for all of us, is so manipulated and dirty that we don’t feel comfortable there . ”

© TVNOW / Andreas Friese
Podcast “important today”
Sure, strong opinion, on the 12: “Today important” is not just a news podcast. We set topics and initiate debates – with poise and sometimes uncomfortably. This is what host Michel Abdollahi and his team speak out for stern– and RTL reporters: inside with the most exciting people from politics, society and entertainment. They let all voices have their say, the quiet and the loud. Anyone who hears “important today” starts the day with information and can have a sound say.
No China strategy
The podcast is also about German foreign policy. “The relationship between the European Union, the USA and China – that is, in my opinion, the greatest challenge. It played no role at all at the moment,” said former Federal Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger in an interview that was “important today”. From their point of view, the parties largely left out the EU issue in the election campaign out of fear.
With a view to election Sunday, only one thing is clear for Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger: there will be no GroKo, otherwise she says: “I believe that every formation of three is a change and a departure.” From their point of view, climate change will demand more from all of us and the parties should communicate this openly and honestly.

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