Is the virus metaphor for spreading misinformation really as good as we have been led to think? Some psychologists disagree. We again ask everyone to show support their support for the Naked Scientists podcast and then in TWISH we hear about George Orwell whose dark visions of society seems ever relevant. Then, we go to the news:

• ENGLAND / WALES: Assisted dying set to become law in England and Wales after MPs pass bill
• ISRAEL / IRAN: Disinformation to look out for
• INTERNATIONAL: Climate misinformation turning crisis into catastrophe, report says
• SWITZERLAND: Government tries to hide expert report on the carbon footprint of electric vehicles
• AUSTRALIA / EUROPE / USA: Australian SCAM promoter Barbara O’Neill is planning a European tour

Statins is the subject for both the Really Wrong and Really Right Awards this week. One goes to Aseem Malhotra and the other to Full Fact. Can you guess who gets which?

Enjoy!

Segments: Intro; Greetings; TWISH; News; Really Wrong / Really Right; Quote; Outro; Outtakes
 
0:00:27 INTRO

0:00:51 GREETINGS

• The virus metaphor of misinformation
  • The Skeptic UK: https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2025/06/the-virus-metaphor-for-misinformation-is-flawed-and-can-distract-us-from-solutions/
• Naked Scientists Podcast is still in danger!
  • The Naked Scientists: https://www.thenakedscientists.com/sos

0:09:52 TWISH – THIS WEEK IN SKEPTICAL HISTORY

• 25 June 1903: George Orwell was born on this day
  • Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Orwell

0:17:12 NEWS

• ENGLAND / WALES: Assisted dying set to become law in England and Wales after MPs pass bill
  • the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/jun/20/assisted-dying-law-england-and-wales-bill-passed
  • The Skeptic UK: https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2025/01/the-assisted-dying-conversation-requires-sensitive-and-compassionate-debate/
• ISRAEL / IRAN: Disinformation to look out for
  • Full Fact: https://fullfact.org/conflict/israel-iran-misinformation-circulates-online/
• INTERNATIONAL: Climate misinformation turning crisis into catastrophe, report says
  • the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/jun/19/climate-misinformation-turning-crisis-into-catastrophe-ipie-report
• SWITZERLAND: Government tries to hide expert report on the carbon footprint of electric vehicles
  • Republik: https://www.republik.ch/2025/06/11/amtliche-selbstzensur
  • Republik: https://cdn.repub.ch/s3/republik-assets/repos/republik/article-behoerdliche-selbstzensur/files/065a622d-1ce5-481c-b4c4-9727d01f2329/ech_schlussbericht_infras_stand-januar-2025_de.pdf
• AUSTRALIA / EUROPE / USA: Australian SCAM promoter Barbara O’Neill is planning a European tour
  • Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_O%27Neill

0:41:10 REALLY WRONG / REALLY RIGHT

• Really Right: Full Fact, John’s story: when health misinformation leads to harm
  • Full Fact: https://fullfact.org/health/health-case-study/
• Really Wrong: Aseem Malhotra, for fear-mongering about statins
  • The Skeptic UK: https://www.skeptic.org.uk/2023/09/cardiologist-and-covid-vaccine-critic-dr-aseem-malhotra-wins-2023-rusty-razor-award/

0:45:01 QUOTE AND FAREWELL

“The essential job is to get people to recognise war propaganda when they see it, especially when it is disguised as peace propaganda.”
/ George Orwell (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950) was an English novelist, poet, essayist, journalist, and critic. /

0:46:14 OUTRO

0:47:36 OUT-TAKES