The Intelligence from The Economist Enter staged right: misinformation feeds Britain’s riots
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Aug 5, 2024 
Andrew Palmer, Britain editor for The Economist, sheds light on the recent unrest in Britain fueled by misinformation from right-wing provocateurs. He discusses how false narratives have aggravated public tensions surrounding immigration and racism. Meanwhile, Moeka Iida dives into the surprising rise of populism in Japan, focusing on Ishimaru Shinji's innovative social media campaign in the Tokyo gubernatorial race. The conversation also draws eerie parallels between political conflicts and the strategies depicted in 'House of the Dragon'.
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Southport Tragedy and Misinformation
- Recent UK riots followed a knife attack in Southport, where three girls were murdered.
- False rumors spread online, blaming a Muslim immigrant and inciting violence.
Diversity of Rioters
- The rioters represent a diverse group, including far-right members, concerned citizens, and opportunistic youth.
- This mix makes the situation complex and challenging to address.
Immigration as the Core Issue
- Despite the crowd's diversity, the core issue is immigration, fueled by false information.
- The attacker was falsely labeled an illegal immigrant, igniting the unrest.