TVO’s new show ‘Big [If True]’ Tackles Mis- and Disinformation with Award-Winning Journalist Molly Thomas

Toronto, Ontario, October 8, 2024 – TVO Today is set to launch a new show, Big [If True] (28 x 30’) a thought-provoking original series, hosted by award-winning journalist, Molly Thomas. This weekly program dives into the disruption and division disinformation is creating in society. Starting November 24, viewers across Canada can stream the weekly series exclusively on TVO.

Each week, Big [If True] will take viewers on a journey through some of the most curious claims, heinous hoaxes, and outright lies circulating online. What’s real and what’s not? What’s fact and what’s fiction? And how do we know for sure? 

With a seasoned line-up of experts committed to cutting through the noise, Molly will help viewers navigate falsehoods and reassess how to critically think about content. 

“It’s the wild west when it comes to information sharing today,” says Host Molly Thomas. “False narratives and fake videos are bombarding our feeds and dangerously pitting us against each other. As journalists, we need to work with the public to re-evaluate our tactics, redeploy new strategies and weaken the threat.”

To help viewers better navigate the news, Big [If True] will offer tips and tools on how to suss out the truth.

“What we really hope to achieve with Big [If True] is boosting media literacy across Canada”, says Executive Producer Elizabeth St. Philip. “We’re not just here to deliver information—we aim to help people identify and ultimately stop the spread of false content.”

Stream Big [If True] across Canada starting November 24 at 8 p.m. ET on the TVO Today YouTube channel, website, and Smart TV app. The series will also be aired on TVO’s broadcast channel in Ontario.

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ABOUT MOLLY THOMAS

Molly Thomas is an award-winning Anchor, Correspondent and Producer who has worked for all three major networks in Canada. Last year, she received the Michener-Deacon Fellowship for her pitch on the loss of school for Afghan women and girls, her 3-part podcast series ‘Dear Taliban‘ is now out. Prior, she was an Investigative Correspondent at CTV’s flagship documentary program W5. She joined CTV National News in 2019 as a parliamentary reporter after working as a national news anchor for CTV News Channel, YOUR MORNING and the national faith-based current affairs show Context. She spent the past year hosting various CBC radio shows including its largest regional program in the country, Metro Morning. Molly has completed an MA in Global Affairs from the Munk School at the University of Toronto and a BA in Journalism from the University of Regina. Her commitment to social justice stories has taken her to Iraq, Somalia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Lebanon, Jordan, Haiti, Rwanda, Uganda, France, the United States, and England. Molly has been recognized for multiple awards, including a National Labour Reporting Award (CAJ 2021), a National Award in Sports Excellence (RTDNA 2021), and a Bronze Telly Award after the 2015 Paris attacks. Her 2022 reporting on ‘Flight 752’, a follow to the Iranian plane crash impacting more than a hundred Canadians, was nominated for 3 Canadian Screen awards, including ‘Best News or Information Program’.

ABOUT TVO MEDIA EDUCATION GROUP 

TVO Media Education Group inspires learning that changes lives and enriches communities. Founded in 1970, we are a globally recognized digital learning organization that engages Ontarians of all ages with inclusive experiences and diverse perspectives. Through our brands TVO Today, TVO Docs, TVO Learn, TVO ILC and TVOkids, we’re investing in the transformative potential of education for everyone. TVO is a registered charity funded in part by the Province of Ontario and supported by thousands of sponsors and donors. Visit TVO.me for more information. Stream TVO on your favourite device.

Media Contact: Genevieve Grant, ggrant@tvo.org