KUALA LUMPUR – A website named Channel3Now has been linked to misinformation that allegedly fuelled riots across the United Kingdom.
According to the BBC, Channel3Now had published a story misidentifying the 17-year-old suspect in the Southport attack and falsely claimed the suspect was an asylum seeker.
These misleading details, along with untrue claims from other sources that the attacker was Muslim, have been cited as contributing factors to the unrest, including violence directed at mosques and Muslim communities.
Channel3Now has since apologised for the false article, attributing the error to the UK-based team, though it remains unclear who authored the piece.
The site’s management, claiming the mistake was unintentional, has denied any affiliation with the Russian, despite accusations linked to old Russian-language YouTube videos on their channel.
What led to the violence?
The tragic killing of three young girls at a Southport event triggered the widespread violence and misinformation across the UK.
On July 29, 6-year-old Bebe King, 7-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and 9-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar were fatally attacked at a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga gathering. The incident also left eight other children and two adults injured.
Authorities quickly apprehended the 17-year-old suspect from a nearby village, saying that the attack was not being treated as a terrorist act.
However, social media quickly became a breeding ground for false claims, with posts inaccurately identifying the suspect as an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat in 2023. Additionally, baseless rumours circulated that the suspect was Muslim.
Contrary to these rumours, reports from the BBC and other media outlets confirmed that the suspect was born in Wales to parents of Rwandan descent. In response to the spread of misinformation, police issued a statement urging the public to refrain from sharing “unconfirmed speculation and false information”.
The dissemination of false information online has been blamed for igniting riots across the UK, leading to a significant rise in tensions and targeting of Muslim communities. This situation highlights the dangerous impact of social media misinformation and the urgent need for responsible communication during crises.
In an urgent notice on August 4, Wisma Putra said Malaysians residing in or travelling to the UK are urged to stay away from protest areas, remain vigilant and follow the latest updates and guidance provided by local authorities.
While UK police are reportedly yet to disclose a motive for the stabbing attack, anti-immigration riots have taken place in more than a dozen towns and cities across Britain, with far-right groups targeting mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers.
Channel3Now’s global network
Channel3Now is reportedly run by a diverse team, including individuals from Pakistan, Canada and the United States. The BBC identified several people associated with the site, including an amateur hockey player from Nova Scotia named James, and Farhan, a journalist from Pakistan.
Both James and Farhan were confirmed as real individuals through interviews with their acquaintances. However, neither was linked directly to the false article.
James, who graduated four years ago, appeared as a rare byline on another article, while Farhan, based in Pakistan, was known for posting about his Islamic faith and family on social media. Farhan blocked the BBC reporter on Instagram shortly after being contacted, but Channel3Now later responded via email.
Kevin, who claimed to be part of Channel3Now’s management, is based in Houston, Texas. He refused to share his surname or the site owner’s name, citing concerns for their safety. Kevin stated the site employs over 30 people across the US, UK, Pakistan and India, mostly recruited from freelancing platforms. He assured that neither James nor Farhan were involved in the erroneous Southport article.
Kevin explained that Channel3Now had purchased a former Russian-language YouTube channel that focused on car rallies but had no ties to the Russian state. Despite this, the false Southport article was amplified by pro-Kremlin Telegram channels, a tactic often used to spread disinformation.
The site has faced scrutiny for other false claims, including misinformation about the Southport attacker and a plot against Donald Trump. The misleading articles have impacted Channel3Now’s digital presence, with its YouTube channel and multiple Facebook pages being suspended, although its X accounts remain active.
Social media’s role in amplifying misinformation
Channel3Now’s false story on the Southport attack gained traction when shared by influential social media accounts with a history of spreading disinformation.
Bernadette Spofforth, accused of initially posting the false name of the Southport attacker, denied being the source and claimed she deleted her post once she realised the error.
Spofforth, known for questioning pandemic measures and climate change policies, had her Twitter account temporarily suspended in 2021 over Covid-19 misinformation allegations, which she disputes.
The spread of misinformation on social media platforms, particularly X, has been exacerbated by changes implemented by its owner, Elon Musk.
These changes have enabled accounts to gain prominence and generate revenue from advertising through increased post visibility. As a result, profiles sharing conspiracy theories and disinformation have accumulated millions of views, further intensifying the online discourse around the riots.
In Malaysia, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has highlighted the UK riots as a warning about the dangers of disinformation, advocating for proactive measures to combat fake news in the Southeast Asian nation.
Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed swift legal action against those inciting violence, with multiple arrests and convictions already made. – August 8, 2024
