Newsroom urges city to keep resisting ‘racist voices of hate’

An independent newspaper has vowed to be the voice of hope in the face of hate following far-right protests in its city.

The Great Central Gazette, based in Leicester, warned that fake news was the trigger for racist and Islamophobic rioting across England and Northern Ireland — and that it would work to counteract that in the East Midlands city.

While there was some far-right activity in Leicester, it was quickly contained to a small area of the city centre. However, the impact of events earlier this month continues to have an impact on communities.

The Gazette’s board of directors said: “Social media platforms have been breeding grounds for virulent disinformation peddled by far-right groups seeking to harm asylum seekers and migrants.

“Misinformation, and to an extent, deliberate disinformation, has spiralled out of control. Big tech has lost the reins on moderation and pushed public interest media off their platforms with changing policies and algorithms. Fake news publishers, which pushed falsehoods about Southport, are unregulated and owned by shady entities and state actors. Yet at first glance, they appear to be genuine newsrooms. In this new world, it is almost impossible to offer a counter-balance on social media to fake news.

“The role of independent, public interest media has never been more crucial. Many newspapers, like our own, strive to provide accurate reporting and context, countering the harmful effects of fake news.

“In stark contrast to the wild west of social media, local journalism can, and must, serve as a vital resource for communities seeking to navigate the complexities of the current climate.

“We are here to make sure our readers have what they need to be active and informed citizens in our society.”

The title is urging readers to share with them anything they see which promotes hate or violence, so they work to counteract it.

They added: “Above all else, we are calling on local charities, faith groups, local authorities and community groups to come together to resist the surge of the far-right in Leicester, should it continue to rear its ugly head. We stand in solidarity with all those being targeted and those on the front line countering hate on our streets.”

The op-ed was signed by the co-operative board which runs the Great Central Gazette, representing both readers and staff.