On July 29, 2024, a violent incident in Southport, UK, saw a knife-wielding attacker kill three young girls and injure ten others, including eight children. The following day, Channel Three Now, a news website, incorrectly identified the attacker as an immigrant who had arrived in the UK the previous year.

This misinformation quickly spread on social media, further fueled by false claims suggesting the attacker was Muslim.

Authorities believe that these inaccuracies and fake news reports contributed to a wave of attacks by white supremacists targeting mosques, Muslim communities, and immigrants across Britain. In response, the police released the attacker’s identity, despite him being a minor. The 17-year-old, born in the UK to Rwandan parents, remains in custody.

An investigative report by a British broadcaster reveals that Channel Three Now operates as a commercial entity, profiting from crime news through social media engagement. The more likes and views their stories receive, the greater their financial gain.

The report states that Channel Three Now’s administration has acknowledged that the incorrect identification of the attacker was an error. The UK team responsible for the Southport story has been identified as the source of the misinformation, while over thirty individuals working for the website across the US, UK, Pakistan, and India contributed to its operations.

The ongoing riots and violence highlight the dangerous impact of media missteps and the spread of false information, emphasizing the need for more responsible journalism and accurate reporting in such sensitive situations.