Online Right's Peddling Misinformation About Sophie of Dundee
In the digital age, misinformation and propaganda have become potent tools in shaping public opinion. A recent example of this phenomenon is the viral footage from Dundee, Scotland, featuring a girl brandishing an axe at a man, which was later found to be unauthentic.
The video, shared thousands of times, including by high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Tommy Robinson, was an example of the right-wing propaganda machine monetizing dystopian fantasies. It was a stark reminder of how such misinformation can be used to fuel fear and divide society.
The man in the video was a 21-year-old Bulgarian who was with his wife at the time of the incident. Contrary to speculations, the police and CCTV footage have since confirmed that the Bulgarian man committed no offence.
The viral footage also led to a crowdfunding campaign for the two young girls involved, dubbed 'Sophie of Dundee'. However, the name of the girl seen with an axe in the video remains unclear, as search results do not explicitly state her name.
The incident was not the only controversial topic covered by the website, which has gained popularity with articles such as 'Sophie of Dundee and the online right's BS machine', 'The Bell Hotel ruling will haunt Labour', 'Rylan Clark is all that stands between civilisation and barbarism', 'The Annunciation shooting reveals the savagery of identity politics', and 'How Taylor Swift's engagement led to a rare truce in the culture war'.
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Notable writers for the website include Tom Slater, whose article 'The Bell Hotel ruling will haunt Labour' was published on the 29th of August 2025, and Jenny Holland, whose article 'How Taylor Swift's engagement led to a rare truce in the culture war' was published on the 30th of August 2025.
The website also hosts The Brendan O'Neill Show, a podcast available for its patrons.
However, it's important to note that the website has faced criticism for restricting comments to only its supporters and patrons who donate regularly. This has led to accusations of censorship and elitism.
In a recent incident, Tommy Robinson tweeted a video of two black men and two white children playing in a park, implying they were foreign paedo kidnappers. In reality, one of the men was the girls' grandfather and the other was his brother. This incident underscores the need for fact-checking and responsible journalism in the digital age.
As we navigate the complexities of the information age, it's crucial to remain vigilant against misinformation and propaganda. By supporting fact-checked and responsible journalism, we can help ensure a more informed and equitable society.
