For Fact's Sake

For this episode Ali is joined in his hosting duties by Ferret journalist Jamie Mann, as Sam is on holiday. We look at whether Russian money is funding Ruth Davidson, and then speak to Dr Kevin Guyan about how the collection of data has historically been used to marginalise LGBTQ+ people, and the controversy over the 2022 Scottish census questions. Kevin's book Queer Data , Using Gender, Sex and S...

In this episode of the FFS Show podcast, we're talking about the Ukraine conflict. Want to know how to avoid sharing false information about Ukraine online? We spoke to Ernie Piper , from anti-misinformation group Logically, about how Russia propaganda tries to shape online discourse, and some simple tips to avoid falling for it. Ali and Sam also debunk a false claim that the Covid-19 vaccine is g...

This week on the FFS Show we talk Scottish Independence, pensions, Valentine's Day and have a chat with Andrew Dudfield from Full Fact. The interview spans several topics around misinformation, fact checking around the world, its implications for new platforms and the future of automated fact checking.  Thanks to the submission from a listener, we take a look back at the fact check on  p...

The FFS Show is back with a brand new format, guests, segments, music and more! This week we fact check a claim about 'negative efficacy' of the Covid-19 vaccines in Scotland, which caused a bit of a stir overseas. We speak to Jenna Corderoy from openDemocracy about Freedom of Information requests in the UK, transparency and PartyGate. Finally, we launch a new segment where every week a different...

The latest episode of  The FFS Show looks at a claim about long Covid, and we delve into some of the misinformation about the festive season. What exactly is long Covid and how many people are suffering from it in Scotland? In this last episode of 2021, we give you some teasers on what to expect in the coming weeks, and Ali tests whether Sam has learned anything in his time co-hosting the pod...

In this podcast we answer the burning questions about people crossing the channel in small boats. Is it illegal? How many people are coming across? Does the UK take more than its fair share of refugees? We also look back at some festive urban myths and discuss the mundane misinformation we've seen on Instagram and TikTok. The music for this show is by Kevin Hartnell , under a CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

The latest episode of The FFS Show is all about MPs. Do they only care about their own expenses and pay ? That's what one widely-shared meme suggests, but the pictures it uses to show MPs at different debates are rather misleading. Also, Sam celebrates this momentous 20th podcast by humiliating Ali in a quiz. The music for this show is by Kevin Hartnell , under a CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

Ali is flying solo on episode 19 of The FFS Show, as The Ferret's COP26 coverage continues. He interviews environmental journalist Paul Dobson, who explains what is meant by a 'Just Transition', and we look at whether the Scottish Government is living up to its emissions targets. The music for this show is by Kevin Hartnell , under a CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

The official FFS Show Halloween celebration podcast is finally here.  Just four days before All Hallows Eve, we are looking at the very real horror of the Scottish Government's missed climate emissions targets with Ferret journalist, Paul Dobson.  Then Sam tries to catch out Ali with another fiendish quiz.  The FFS Show  is only possible thanks to your support. If you want...

On this podcast, we find out whether Andrew Marr was right to doubt Boris Johnson's claim on wages. Sam puts Ali on the spot over a claim about Bill Gates, leading to the creation of a new discipline: vague fact-checking. The music for this show is by Kevin Hartnell , under a CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

The latest FFS Show is live! Sam and Ali are back with the usual combination of factual information and nonsensical conversation. This podcast we are taking a look at the current pressures facing the NHS in Scotland, and reminiscing over a bit of clever marketing misinformation. There’s also an exclusive announcement! The music for this show is by Kevin Hartnell , under a CC BY-SA 4...

Ali and Sam are back and this week they are asking you: Can you name 3 artists on the music charts back in 1991? Right Said Fred got to number two in the charts back then, but 30 years later they get to number 1 when it comes to strange COVID misinformation being spread on Twitter. In this episode we explain what's wrong with their statement and give you the background behind it. Ali also has a co...

Ali and Sam are back for The FFS Show episode 14. This week we discuss some misleading headlines on guidance for trans young people in schools. Also Ali removes the joy from a classic viral claim about penguins falling over at Edinburgh Zoo, while Sam becomes the 'man of the people'. The music for this show is by Kevin Hartnell , under a CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

The annual Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland report, known as GERS, has been released, and in this week's podcast we look at what the report can and can't tell you. You regular FFS Show host Ali Brian is joined this week by The Ferret's new Digital Engagement Editor Sam Goncalves to talk through some of the debate which surrounds the GERS report each year. The music for this show is by K...

Episode 12 of the FFS Show podcast is a Boris Johnson fact-check special. After Dawn Butler MP was ejected from the House of Commons for reading a list of alleged falsehoods by the PM, we dived into her statement to see whether her allegations were true. We also concluded our interview with new openDemocracy editor-in-chief Peter Geoghegan. He talked us through the links between Covid-19 misinform...

It's a bittersweet podcast this time. Sweet because we have a great interview with journalist and Ferret co-founder Peter Geoghegan, but bitter because it's Mags' last podcast as a member of the FFS team. She's off to pastures new but still had time to talk through her fact check on whether Scotland's vaccine rollout is lagging behind the rest of the UK. Ali spoke to Peter Geoghegan about the link...

Episode 10 is here! A milestone for our little podcast. In this episode, Mags looks at the spat between Andy Burnham and Nicola Sturgeon on Covid-19 restrictions, while Ali finds out if the UK government really wanted kids to sing a patriotic song. The FFS Show is hosted by The Ferret's fact-checkers Ali Brian and Mags Taylor. Follow us on Twitter at @AlastairBrian and @MagsTaylorish. The music fo...

This week Ali fact-checks the claim that Nicola Sturgeon missed COBRA meetings from the outset of COVID-19. And Mags looks into the claim that historical data will not be used for pupil assessments this year. The FFS Show is hosted by The Ferret's fact-checkers Ali Brian and Mags Taylor. Follow us on Twitter at @AlastairBrian and @MagsTaylorish. The music for this show is by Kevin Hartnell , under...

Mags is back after a podcast off, and gets straight back to work looking into a misleading article about Scots vaccine-related deaths. Ali speaks to Alex Clegg, who worked with Sense About Science to produce a guide for talking to people who believe in conspiracy theories. The FFS Show is hosted by The Ferret's fact-checkers Ali Brian and Mags Taylor . Follow us on Twitter at @AlastairBrian and @M...

Ali is flying solo today for a special interview with Alex Clegg from charity Sense About Science. We look at how well the media reported scientific information around Covid-19, and how it can improve. The FFS Show is hosted by The Ferret's fact-checkers Ali Brian and Mags Taylor . Follow us on Twitter at @AlastairBrian and @MagsTaylorish. The music for this show is by Kevin Hartnell , under a CC...

Our final episode before the Scottish Parliament election is here.  In a special election-themed podcast, we look at some of the claims in the third leader's debate on Channel 4, and interview special guest Professor John Curtice. The FFS Show is hosted by The Ferret's fact-checkers Ali Brian and Mags Taylor . Follow us on Twitter at @AlastairBrian and @MagsTaylorish. The music for this show...

The party leaders are at it again! Another televised head-to-head-to-head-to-head-to-head on STV, fact-checked by Ali and Mags. The FFS Show is hosted by The Ferret's fact-checkers Ali Brian and Mags Taylor . Follow us on Twitter at @AlastairBrian and @MagsTaylorish. The music for this show is by Kevin Hartnell , under a CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.

Episode 4 features a bumper fact-check on claims made by each of the five Scottish party leaders in the BBC's televised debate. We also the second part of our interview with Vice News misinformation reporter David Gilbert. He tells us how QAnon has got traction in the UK. The FFS Show is hosted by The Ferret's fact-checkers Ali Brian and Mags Taylor . Follow us on Twitter at @AlastairBrian and @Ma...

In episode 3, Mags has been looking at a claim about the contraceptive pill, blood clots and the Covid-19 vaccine. Ali has been analysing just how popular the Royal Family is. We also have an interview with Vice News misinformation reporter David Gilbert, who tells us all about the conspiracy theory QAnon. The FFS Show is hosted by The Ferret's fact-checkers Ali Brian and Mags Taylor . Follow us o...

This episode delves into whether or not there were shortages of PPE during the pandemic, as well as looking at what goes into a vaccine (Hint: not exactly what anti-vaxxers say). We also explain how you can check the veracity of viral images online. The FFS Show is hosted by The Ferret's fact-checkers Ali Brian and Mags Taylor . Follow us on Twitter at @AlastairBrian and @MagsTaylorish. The music...