EXCL: Conspiracy theorists, who claim UK terror attacks are staged, are tracking down survivors to homes and workplaces to see if they’re lying about injuries. And abuse is getting worse post-pandemic. I’ve investigated for BBC Panorama & Radio 4 podcasts. bbc.com/news/uk-634126…
Now one survivor of Manchester Arena bombing is preparing libel action against a man who says he’s spied on victims. Conspiracies and tactics like his are emblematic of a wider phenomenon survivors and bereaved families are experiencing.
More on yday’s News at Ten & across BBC.
Listen to Radio 4 pod series, Disaster Trolls on BBC Sounds. What happens when tragedy makes you a target? I investigate how these conspiracies have spread to UK.
Watch Panorama, Disaster Deniers: Hunting the Trolls @BBCOne at 2000. I expose disaster trolls targeting survivors of UK terror & reveal popularity of these beliefs.
It’s so powerful to see the response to this investigation so far. Listen to the pod on @BBCSounds & tune into Panorama at 8PM on BBC One.
I spoke to Today about exposing conspiracy theorists who track down terror survivors @JustinOnWeb
Across 5live, World Service & more.
Also catch my report on BBC News at Ten last night, where I reveal how survivors are being tracked down by conspiracy theorists - and ask their questions to one of those doing this.
A stark reminder of the real-world harm caused by disinformation and online abuse.
Here's the rest of the News at Ten report, revealing how UK terror survivors are being tracked down and sent online abuse because of online conspiracies.
All ten eps of the Radio 4 pod are on BBC Sounds - Panorama BBC One later.
And here’s the trailer for tonight’s Panorama investigation on @BBCOne at 8pm & iPlayer - big thanks to @EmmaSJacobs & @vickybaker for their work on all the impact!
As well as across multiple BBC radio, podcast & TV outlets today important to see this online piece at most read this afternoon - edited by the brilliant @KWestcott01 & Sarah Buckley!
I’ll share the Panorama investigation in full tomorrow - but if you tuned into that and the Radio 4 podcast listen to this pod from @NeilSandersMC@BrentLeeSDCIC with extensive insight into how the conspiracy world works - and how to unpick it! anchor.fm/somedarecallit…
Chatted to @adamfleming on #Newscast about the investigation too - and a lot of the behind the scenes too, like why we decided to expose this & how we do a doorstep.
Give it a listen! And also go listen to Radio 4’s Disaster Trolls on BBC Sounds.
Watch last night’s Panorama on iPlayer - and listen to the Radio 4 podcast on BBC Sounds.
I expose how conspiracy theorists, who claim UK terror attacks are staged, track down survivors to homes and workplaces to see if they are lying about injuries. bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episod…
Really brilliant to see all of the pick-up for this important investigation across the Mail, Telegraph & Mirror - and it was trending last night!
For Americast and Newsnight, I’ve created five characters - informed by research from Pew - to investigate what voters are exposed to and recommended across social media at a turbulent time for US politics.
EXCL 🚨 For Panorama, I expose how social media sites recommend violent videos & knives for sale to a 13-year-old’s account and investigate the disturbing online world Olly stephens was exposed to before he was murdered.
Stabbed by two teenagers, the entire attack on Olly was planned on social media. What are 13-year-old’s exposed to online? With exclusive access to Stuart & Amanda, I set out to uncover that.
Last January, Amanda and Stuart Stephens watched their son from separate windows as he left home, not realising it would be the last time.
Fifteen minutes later, he had been murdered.
The phone he was holding as he left would provide the answers to what had happened.
Kate Shemirani’s son Sebastian says he felt compelled to speak out again today because he wants to help those who believe these false and harmful comments.
Comments from a former Nurse at a rally likening NHS doctors to executed Nazis have been widely condemned.
I spoke to @BBCr4today about how this protest movement is muddled with online conspiracies and violent threats.
Her son Sebastian joins, calling for her to be prosecuted.
I first interviewed Sebastian last year as his mum became one of the leader's of Britain's conspiracy community.
He feared for her impact on public health - and their relationship. Now he worries about her inspiring violence. bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-546…
For many in Trafalgar Square at the rally, this movement has become about more than Covid-19 - and experts have warned of the radicalisation to violence happening in a movement that is being co-opted by extremist actors.