Breaking Bongo

Radiolab

• Episode: Breaking Bongo
• Website: Radiolab
• Feed URL: http://feeds.wnyc.org/radiolab
• Duration: 00:06:00
• Published: 2019-11-27 01:35

Deep fake videos have the potential to make it impossible to sort fact from fiction. And some have argued that this blackhole of doubt will eventually send truth itself into a death spiral. But a series of recent events in the small African nation of Gabon suggest it's already happening. 

Today, we follow a ragtag group of freedom fighters as they troll Gabon’s president - Ali Bongo - from afar. Using tweets, videos and the uncertainty they can carry, these insurgents test the limits of using truth to create political change and, confusingly, force us to ask: Can fake news be used for good?

This episode was reported and produced by Simon Adler.