PLAY PODCASTS
What happens after you go viral?

What happens after you go viral?

Two stories about social media storms. What happened after the crowds moved on?

Trending · BBC World Service

May 2, 202025m 11s

Audio is streamed directly from the publisher (open.live.bbc.co.uk) as published in their RSS feed. Play Podcasts does not host this file. Rights-holders can request removal through the copyright & takedown page.

Show Notes

Two stories about viral stories that kicked off deep debate about social issues. What happened when social media moved on? Randa Jarrar, a university professor, tweeted a provocative – and many would say deeply offensive – message after the death of former US First Lady Barbara Bush. It went viral and hit a nerve in a country riveted by debates over free speech and its limits, especially on college campuses. And you may remember the story of the jogger who was caught on video throwing a homeless man’s possessions into a lake in Oakland, California. The incident eventually led to criminal charges for the jogger, and also sparked an outpouring of sympathy for the homeless man. But what happened next – yes, you guessed it – might surprise you.

Presenter: Mike Wendling Reporter: Chris Bell

(Photo Caption: Photo illustration featuring Randa Jarrar (centre) / Photo Credit: Getty Images)