CTRL ALT DECEIT: Democracy in Danger

When certain powerful and wealthy individuals take issue with information that's been shared about them by journalists, researchers and politicians, never-ending and hugely costly lawsuits often follow. This is known as lawfare - and on this week's episode, we draw back the curtain on its pernicious impact on freedom of speech in the UK, the huge financial and personal costs those experiencing lawfare often shoulder and lookahead to ask whether reform and regulation is possible. On the show, journalists Owen Bennett-Jones and Nina Dos Santos are joined by former intelligence officer and author of the infamous Trump dossier Christopher Steele and former MP Charlotte Leslie who speak to their personal experiences with these kinds of cases. Plus, we're joined by Gavin Millar KC who brings his four decades of legal know-how to the conversation.Ctrl Alt Deceit is brought to you by Democratys, a charity committed to exposing interference in our democratic institutions and inspiring debate and engagement in our democratic process in the UK and beyond. Producer: Paige Reynolds Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can democracy withstand the pressures of a new era of social media strongmen? In this episode, journalists Nina Dos Santos and Owen Bennett-Jones discuss the growing power of Elon Musk, his control over the narrative on X (formerly Twitter), and the consequences for the future of politics in the US. They are joined by Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, an organisation that Musk has publicly criticised and taken to court, and investigative journalist Carol Cadwalladr—famous for exposing the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Cadwalladr warns of the unprecedented impact on journalism, truth, and public discourse, stressing why this moment is critical not just for the US, but for democracies worldwide. Ctrl Alt Deceit is brought to you by Democratys, a charity committed to exposing interference in our democratic institutions and inspiring debate and engagement in our democratic process in the UK and beyond. Producer: Paige Reynolds Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US citizens have exercised their democratic right - but is growing anti-democratic sentiment in powerful conservative think tanks, Trump’s inner circle and the tech titans of Silicon Valley still a cause of concern? As Donald J Trump becomes the President-elect of the United States, journalists Nina Dos Santos and Owen Bennett-Jones examine the key tenets of Project 2025 and the philosophies of political strategist Steven Bannon and tech billionaire Peter Thiel. Plus, we hear from journalist and author Edward Lucas on the impact of Trump’s win on the future of Ukraine. Ctrl Alt Deceit is brought to you by Democratys, a charity committed to exposing interference in our democratic institutions and inspiring debate and engagement in our democratic process in the UK and beyond. Producer: Paige Reynolds Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will the 2024 US election be hacked? On the first episode of Ctrl Alt Deceit, journalists Nina Dos Santos and Owen Bennett-Jones get to grips with how the upcoming election in the US might be undermined - from outside and within. Joined by Senior Advisor on Election Security for Free Speech for People Susan Greenhalgh and disinformation researcher Darren Linvill, the team examine the vulnerabilities of US voting machines and who might be exploiting such vulnerabilities for their own gain. Plus, we analyse the latest disinformation playbook, and look at what the likes of Russia, China and Iran might have in store. Ctrl Alt Deceit is brought to you by Democratys, a charity committed to exposing interference in our democratic institutions and inspiring debate and engagement in our democratic process in the UK and beyond. Producer: Paige Reynolds Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.