NHK WORLD PRIME

Season 5, Episode 14

Episode Title: Social Media and the Tides of Democracy

Air Date: 2021-05-29

Overview:

The January attack on the US Capitol shocked the world. In the crowd that day was retired teacher Jennifer Marler protesting that "Our voices are not being heard." In the midst of the pandemic, divisiveness has accelerated, rocking the foundation of democracy. What is at the root of people's discontent and anger? We interviewed a father and daughter who clash over immigration policy and the income gap, and a woman who spread QAnon conspiracy theories on the Internet. Social scientists weigh in on the question of where the world is headed.