Sam Leader

With new research suggesting 50% of online reviews in some sectors could be fake, how can you stay safe from dodgy products, fraudulent service providers, and scammers blackmailing small businesses with fake bad feedback? Sam Leader investigates world of online reviews in 'Online Reviews: Can You Trust Them? Tonight' 7:30pm on ITV Get involved by using #ITVTonight

So many of us turn to online reviews when we are looking to buy something. When we see five stars, we trust it’s a great product. But can we really believe what we're reading? ITV’s Tonight programme has found that in some sectors, up to 50% of reviews that we're relying on are suspicious. Senior Digital reporter Sam Leader discusses the findings as Adil and Ranvir hear from Jake, whose business fell victim to fake online reviews.

Many of us check online reviews to steer clear of cowboy traders, dodgy products, and unsavoury experiences. But what if some of those reviews can’t be trusted? @samleader_ investigates our digital marketplace: a world where unscrupulous traders write their own testimonials, blackmailers use review sites to hold businesses to ransom, and five-star ratings can be bought in bulk. Online Reviews: Can You Trust Them? 7:30pm 19th Feb on @ITVX / @itv Get involved by using #ITVTonight

Over a year and a half later we met with Murray Dowey’s parents again - this time as they launch a lawsuit against the trillion-dollar company Meta, which claims they "prioritised profit," resulting in missed opportunities to protect teenagers like Murray

'Massive risk': One in four teenagers use AI for mental health support, ITV News @samleader_ reports itv.com/news/2025-12-0…

With the all-important refillable pods hard to find, @samleader_ and @lucywatsonitv discuss what impact the disposable vapes ban is actually making. Watch the full What You Need To Know podcast: youtube.com/watch?v=tZ99UV…

A month after the government banned disposable vapes, ITV News has heard from consumers and experts who told us the regulations may not go far enough in tackling what's been dubbed the ‘vapocalypse’. itv.com/news/2025-06-3…

'They’re laughing at us': Students feel powerless as accommodation concerns go ignored, as @samleader_ reports itv.com/news/2025-05-2…

A crucial piece of journalism delivered by @ITVNews Digital Reporter, @SamLeader_, that sheds light on the often-avoided topic of chemsex and the associated drug use. Convincing individuals to speak on camera about their experiences is no easy task, especially given the stigma surrounding this underreported issue. The human cost continues to rise, making it increasingly urgent for society to confront the realities of this crisis. If you have a spare 25 minutes, I highly recommend watching the full documentary, "After the High: Chemsex, Beyond the Myths," available now on @ITVX. Sam’s outstanding work offers a vital exploration of the so-called ‘silent crisis’ surrounding the chemsex epidemic, which has devastating consequences for many. 🎥 🔗 itv.com/news/2025-03-1… #AfterTheHigh | #Chemsex | #BeyondTheMyths | #LGBT | #Health | #ITVNews

'A silent crisis': Chemsex related drugs claiming LGBT+ lives, yet few are taking notice ITV News Digital Reporter @samleader_ investigates the underreported issue of drug deaths devastating parts of the LGBT+ community across the UK itv.com/news/2025-03-1…

@PaulBrandITV Thanks Paul - really grateful for all the people who were brave enough to speak with us

This is excellent journalism from @samleader_. The chemsex epidemic that's become a killer. itv.com/news/2025-03-1…

Important documentary from @samleader_ about the ‘silent crisis’ of Chemsex itv.com/news/2025-03-1…

Congratulations to @samleader_ for winning the @RTS_media Emerging Young Talent of the Year Award! #rtsawards

What an absolute honour 🙏 can’t thank you enough ! X

Amazing news @samleader_ !! Congratulations !! If you’ve not seen Sam’s work do check it out. He and fellow nominee @creesummerITV have been doing important investigative work for @itvnews all platforms all year.

.@itvnews’ @samleader takes home the Emerging Young Talent of the Year award #RTSAwards

Emerging Young Talent winner @samleader_ recalls the first time he saw his work as a journalist make an impact #RTSAwards

@LizzLittle @RTS_media @itvnews Ahh thank you Liz ! x

@samleader_ @RTS_media @itvnews huge congratulations!!

Over the moon to have been nominated for an @RTS_media award for emerging young talent of the year 🌚 and amongst such talented nominees @itvnews rts.org.uk/article/nomina…

@CameronDLWalker @RTS_media @itvnews Ah thank you Cameron 🙌🫶

@samleader_ @RTS_media @itvnews Huge congratulations, Sam! Well deserved 👏🏻