Ofcom hiring staff in wake of social media-fuelled riots
The Independent|August 21, 2024
Safety officers will be tasked with tackling misinformation
MARTYN LANDI
Ofcom hiring staff in wake of social media-fuelled riots

Media regulator Ofcom is ramping up its hiring of online safety staff as debate continues over the ability of the UK to properly tackle the spread of misinformation online. The riots in parts of the UK earlier this month were fuelled by the spread of misinformation in the wake of the stabbings in Southport.

The violence was stoked by a number of false claims spreading online, including that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat last year, while Twitter/X owner Elon Musk made references to “two-tier policing” in Britain, reposted a false claim about the government setting up detainment camps in the Falkland Islands, and interacted with a post from rightwing activist Tommy Robinson – real name Stephen YaxleyLennon – about the violence.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE INDEPENDENTView all
Djokovic faces monumental task at the Australian Open
The Independent

Djokovic faces monumental task at the Australian Open

Novak Djokovic could play Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open and may also have to face world No 2 Alexander Zverev and world No 1 Jannik Sinner if he is to win a 25th grand slam title in Melbourne.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 10, 2025
Potter's West Ham gamble is a make-or-break moment
The Independent

Potter's West Ham gamble is a make-or-break moment

Doubts remain over new Hammers man after Chelsea failure

time-read
3 mins  |
January 10, 2025
'Woody told us all week we would get Newcastle away!'
The Independent

'Woody told us all week we would get Newcastle away!'

After more than a century in the lower tiers, League Two side Bromley FC are finally in the spotlight with their FA Cup tie

time-read
4 mins  |
January 10, 2025
Ambitious Everton look for upgrade on the Dyche grind
The Independent

Ambitious Everton look for upgrade on the Dyche grind

Sean Dyche was never the manager Everton really wanted.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 10, 2025
Everton ease to FA Cup win as team reboot starts
The Independent

Everton ease to FA Cup win as team reboot starts

They are not used to cheering the men in the technical area.

time-read
3 mins  |
January 10, 2025
THE ART OF NOISE
The Independent

THE ART OF NOISE

Alt-popper Ethel Cain lashes listeners with sound on her experimental second LP, 'Perverts'. Helen Brown submits

time-read
2 mins  |
January 10, 2025
Kidman is utterly fearless in unabashedly sexy 'Babygirl'
The Independent

Kidman is utterly fearless in unabashedly sexy 'Babygirl'

Dutch writer-director Halina Reijn has made a BDSM film rife with fumbling uncertainty, and comedy-drama 'A Real Pain' manages to stay honest,

time-read
5 mins  |
January 10, 2025
The secret shame that saw Callas retreat into obscurity
The Independent

The secret shame that saw Callas retreat into obscurity

She was the opera diva with a tumultuous and tragic private life but something else would derail her career as one of the greatest singers of all time, as Meghan Lloyd Davies explains

time-read
5 mins  |
January 10, 2025
At home with Gen Zzzzz
The Independent

At home with Gen Zzzzz

Being boring has never been more in - but Kate Rossiensky wonders if the humblebore lifestyle is a deflection technique

time-read
6 mins  |
January 10, 2025
PLAYING DUMB
The Independent

PLAYING DUMB

As the thoroughly decent (and rather smart) Kasim is ejected from 'The Traitors', Helen Coffey asks whether intelligence has become a hindrance that should be concealed at all costs

time-read
5 mins  |
January 10, 2025