Social Media & Far-Right

Far-Right Riots 2024

Did Russian disinformation fuel the Southport protests?

— The far-right protests in England, triggered by disinformation around the Southport stabbings, have been linked to Russian disinformation. We looked at the digital footprint and spoke to protesters. The deeper issue lies in pervasive anti-migrant sentiments.

UK Politics

The hypocrisy at the heart of racist riots

— Misinformation after a Southport stabbing sparked Islamophobic violence, exposing how racial biases and political scapegoating fuel racism and unequal responses to crimes based on the perpetrator’s race.

Legitimisation of the Far-Right

Refusing to call out Islamophobia has emboldened the far-right – and the current violence is the result

— The recent riots, triggered by misinformation and targeting Muslims, highlight deep-seated Islamophobia in the UK. Despite clear evidence, politicians avoid labelling it as such, instead calling it far-right thuggery or anti-immigration protests.

Far-Right Riots 2024

UK braces for far-right mobilisations as 48 potential hotspots are identified

— 48 locations face potential far-right mobilisations in the UK this evening, with up to 100 events possible. A Telegram list targeting refugee service providers has spread fear, prompting community counter-protests.

Social Media & Far-Right

Telegram takes action against UK channels inciting violence

— Telegram confirmed it is removing UK channels and posts inciting violence, following the deletion of a 15,000-member extremist group organising protests.

OPINION

English nationalism’s fascist problem

— The ongoing far-right violence in England, misrepresented as a British issue, underscores the nation’s struggle with English nationalism and identity. Media and political narratives often avoid this root cause, exacerbating tensions.

Far-Right Riots 2024

Middle-aged radicalisation: Why are so many of Britain’s rioters in their 40s and 50s?

— Middle-aged people, often overlooked in discussions on radicalisation, are increasingly drawn into extremism through online misinformation. This group’s vulnerability, due to limited digital literacy and misinformation exposure, has been highlighted by recent riots.

Far-Right Riots 2024

Riots in the UK: Online propagandists know how to work their audiences – this is what we are missing

— Far-right violence in English towns has highlighted the need to rethink our approach to combating online propaganda. Current strategies fail as hate-filled content thrives on social media. Instead of merely fact-checking, we should target the audiences and algorithms that amplify extremist views.