Main content
This programme will be available shortly after broadcast

The TikTokers accused of triggering an election scandal

Unlabelled political ads, thousands of inauthentic accounts and mysterious comments- we hear from influencers about campaigns which led to the cancellation of Romania’s election.

BBC Trending speaks to influencers about the campaigns which led to the cancellation of Romania’s December election.

They describe it as a wave. In the days before the presidential elections, influencers watched comments and content pour across TikTok in support of obscure far-right independent candidate Calin Georgescu. Georgescu’s victory was annulled and he has been banned from running in May's elections. Influencers at the heart of the story explain how it happened and demand answers.

Presenter: Rowan Ings
Producer: Georgiana Tudor
Additional reporting: Oana Marocico
Editor: Flora Carmichael

Credit: Emma Audrey / Media 25 / Radio BIP

18 minutes

On radio

Saturday 04:32GMT
BBC World Service

More episodes

Previous

BBC Trending: From a smuggler’s TikTok to tragedy

Next

Are We Dating the Same Person?

See all episodes from Trending

Broadcasts

  • Saturday 04:32GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Saturday 17:32GMT
    BBC World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview, News Internet & Europe and the Middle East only
  • Next Sunday 00:32GMT
    BBC World Service
  • Next Sunday 08:32GMT
    BBC World Service West and Central Africa
  • Next Sunday 10:32GMT
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa
  • Next Sunday 21:32GMT
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa, South Asia, West and Central Africa & East Asia only

Podcast

  • Trending

    In-depth reporting on the world of social media