Carole Cadwalladr discusses advertising, platforms and media sexism in Rankin guest edit
Investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr's work has helped trace links between the Brexit referendum, the Trump campaign and shadowy data mining practices. But she's faced a backlash, both from trolls and those she's exposed.
Investigative journalist Carole Cadwalladr has been interviewed by Rankin in The Drum's new issue
In an exclusive interview in The Drum's new print edition, Cadwalladr talks to guest editor Rankin about her description as a "crazy cat lady" by BBC presenter Andrew Neil, and upon the backlash towards her reporting.
She said: ”This interview is reclaiming the ’crazy cat lady‘ insult. The thing about trying to report on propaganda is that you become a victim of propaganda. So you’ve got to own it. We have to turn their tools against them.
Cadwalladr told Rankin that tech platforms such as Facebook and Twitter should be framed "in the same way we look at big oil" and that brands advertising with them are "totally complicit" in the spreading of misinformation online.
"The role that brands and advertisers play is absolutely pivotal because they're the money supply. These huge brands are totally complicit in propping up these platforms that are essentially subverting elections across the world. We have this massive, incredibly prosperous industry right at the heart of it, in complete denial."
The full interview can be found in The Drum's new issue, available here. The issue, guest-edited by renowned photographer Rankin, focuses on the theme 'Sell me the truth', and looks at honesty across the worlds of advertising, media and politics.
The issue also includes interviews with S4 Capital head honcho Sir Martin Sorrell, journalist Oobah Butler, model and activist Munroe Bergdorf and legendary art director Oliviero Toscani.