BBC's chief fact-checker Marianna Spring accused of lying on CV by falsely claiming to have worked with Beeb colleague

The BBC's chief fact checker, Marianna Spring, is facing allegations that she lied about her experience on her CV in order to secure work. Spring, who works as the broadcaster's disinformation correspondent, is accused of providing misleading information.

Marianna claimed to have worked with BBC correspondent Sarah Rainsford during the 2018 World Cup

The New European reports that Marianna Spring falsely claimed to have worked alongside BBC correspondent Sarah Rainsford during the 2018 World Cup, covering the "perception" of Russia. This alleged claim was made on her CV while she was trying to secure freelance work in Moscow for US-based news site Coda Story.

Apologies and admissions of "awful misjudgment"

After conducting their checks, Coda Story's editor-in-chief Natalia Antelava, who previously worked for the BBC, criticized Marianna Spring for her misleading claim. Spring reportedly sent an email apologizing for her "awful misjudgment" and attributed her actions to "desperation" for the job. She admitted to being "naive and stupid" but maintained that she was a "brilliant journalist", as reported.

Marianna Spring's position at the BBC

Marianna Spring was appointed as the BBC's disinformation and social media correspondent in August last year. Prior to this role, she had worked for Panorama and has her own BBC podcast called Marianna In Conspiracyland. Additionally, she is a member of the BBC verify team, which focuses on fact-checking to combat misinformation.

The BBC declined to comment when approached by The Celeb Report Online.