Press regulator issues unprecedented statement over Southport ‘misinformation’

The following is a statement from Impress, the independent press monitor, of which the Canary is a member

The dangers posed by misinformation have rarely been more stark than they were in Southport on Tuesday night.

In the wake of a horrific incident in the Merseyside town, that remains the subject of police investigation, unfounded rumours regarding the perpetrator’s identity began to spread, seemingly started by accounts masquerading as legitimate news sites.

Despite police and government officials dismissing this information as false, it was spread on social media and promoted by prominent figures, whipping up anger that manifested in discrimination and violence in Southport on Tuesday night.

While this is not the first time misinformation has led to these outcomes, it needs to be the incident that sparks serious conversations and changes regarding how misinformation is promoted and spread.

Impress is therefore calling on politicians, media organisations and community groups to convene and collaborate with urgency to improve public news literacy, journalistic standards and discuss future legislation that can help tackle this ongoing and increasingly threatening problem.

Featured image via the Independent – screengrab and Impress