TV host Barry Du Bois has responded to questions about his prior social media activity, just a day after he announced he was running for an independent seat in the Senate.
Du Bois, 60, follows a string of Instagram accounts that spread conspiracy theories about vaccines and Covid-19, but he clarified on Monday he only follows them to better understand the views of other Australians on the supposed 'vaccine debate'.
The father of two, who hosts Channel 10 lifestyle show The Living Room, has vowed to fight for 'everyday Australians' in his campaign for the upcoming federal election.
TV host Barry Du Bois has responded to questions about his prior social media activity, just a day after he announced he was running for an independent seat in the Senate
Du Bois, who has beaten cancer twice thanks to Australia's world-class medical system, follows pages run by anti-vaxxers, Covid-deniers and lockdown protesters.
When contacted for comment by Daily Mail Australia on Monday, Du Bois responded with a 369-word statement explaining he was following them so he could 'understand both sides' of the debate.
Among the accounts followed by Du Bois is 'Reignite Democracy Australia', a Melbourne-based advocacy group that opposes mask wearing, lockdowns, mandatory testing and Covid vaccinations.
Du Bois, 60, who has beaten cancer twice thanks to Australia's world-class medical system, follows pages run by anti-vaxxers, Covid-deniers and lockdown protesters. Among the accounts followed by Du Bois is 'Reignite Democracy Australia', a Melbourne-based advocacy group that opposes mask wearing, lockdowns, mandatory testing and Covid vaccinations
The former builder also follows a page called 'Gardasil Girls', which spreads misinformation about the Covid vaccine as well as the life-saving HPV vaccine which prevents around 90 per cent of cervical cancers
Du Bois follows a similar account called 'The People's Press', which claims to 'fight the mainstream media' by spreading Covid misinformation. The page also advocates false QAnon conspiracy theories about politicians and warns of 'convicted pedophile Freemasons'
Du Bois follows a page called 'Science_cited' which seeks to discredit 'mainstream views' about diseases, including Covid-19, and life-saving vaccines
The account, run by 2017 Australian Survivor contestant Monica Smit, also promoted the shameful anti-lockdown protests that took place in various cities over the weekend, describing the events as a 'turning point for Australia'.
Du Bois follows a similar account called 'The People's Press', which claims to 'fight the mainstream media' by spreading Covid misinformation.
The page also advocates false QAnon conspiracy theories about politicians, warning its followers not to take orders from 'convicted pedophile Freemasons'.
