The Light is a self-published, monthly Britishfar-right andconspiracy theory newspaper founded by Darren Scott Nesbitt (frequently under the pseudonym Darren Smith) on 27 September 2020,[1] which primarily claims theCOVID-19 pandemic was a hoax. The paper has a sister publication, namedThe Irish Light, which was launched in Ireland byGemma O'Doherty andJohn Waters.[2]The Light also has affiliated publications in Canada and Australia.[3]
The paper has been criticised for spreadingCOVID-19 misinformation andantisemitic conspiracy theories includingHolocaust denial, as well as makingdeath threats against journalists and health professionals.[13][14] It regularly prints articles written by conspiracy theoristVernon Coleman,[1] and according to a review fromHarvard Kennedy School "includes content that is aimed at prompting participation and activism amongst adherents of conspiracy theories, rather than simply presenting information".[11] The paper has called for a "secondNuremberg Trial" and executions of journalists, politicians and doctors, leading it to being described byDave Renton as a 'far-right propaganda sheet'[15] whilst other investigative groups have described it as containing 'extremist propaganda'.[16][17][18][19]
Although the company behind the paper was dissolved on 15 February 2021,[20] theBBC reported in June 2023 that at least 100,000 copies ofThe Light were being printed each month and that the publication had more than 18,000 followers on the social media siteTelegram.[21][22]
The print publication regularly makes conspiratorial claims surroundingBill Gates and world leaders, promotesclimate change denial and claims vaccines are weaponized mind control devices.[1][23]
In September 2022,The Light shared an article written by far-right conspiracy theoristPaul Joseph Watson claiming thatLyudmyla Denisova, the formerOmbudsman for Human Rights in Ukraine, had admitted to lying about the Russian military committing rape crimes in Ukraine. Thedisinformation analysis groupLogically found that Denisova had only accepted her use of inappropriate language in describing the rape crimes, but had not admitted to lying about said crimes.[29]
In November 2022,The Irish Light ran a headline with the phrase 'Died Suddenly' connected to marketing efforts around the release ofan independent anti-vaccine film of the same name. In this issue, the paper used the images of 42 deceased individuals, claiming they had died due to being vaccinated. Upon investigation, none of the deaths were found to be due to vaccines but were caused by drowning, long-term illness, car accidents, meningitis and other events. The misuse of the names and images of the deceased individuals being used to promote anti-vaccine conspiracy theories caused severe distress among family members of the bereaved and an increase inonline abuse.[30][31][32][33]
According to its founder, he is in communication with the editor of theGerman far-right conspiracy theory publicationDemokratischer Widerstand (Democratic Resistance), which has stated that it is a "partner" newspaper ofThe Light.Demokratischer Widerstand has been linked to theReichsbürger movement, the group behind the2022 failed coup attempt in Germany.[21]
The paper is purchased via privateFacebook groups andTwitter contacts and then distributed by volunteers who are instructed to airdrop copies through letterboxes or abandon the paper in public spaces.[39][40][41][42][43]
Local leaders have accused the publication of "inflaming division and harassment with false and misleading claims about vaccines, the financial system and climate change".[21] Its distributors have also been criticised for deliberately targeting and threatening councillors, teenagers and children.[53][54][55][56]
After copies of the paper were distributed inStroud, residents protested against the paper, stating: "...we are alarmed by The Light's use of the pandemic to push support for antisemitism, Holocaust denial and racist hate speech - as well as for denial of climate change, NHS-bashing, and other reactionary views."[5][8]
Siobhan Baillie, the MP forStroud, called anti-vaccine misinformation "dangerous, damaging and disrespectful" and later raised concerns in Parliament, stating: "Will the secretary of state assist me in to reassure Stroud about the vaccines and encourage people not to share Covid information from unofficial sources to stop this dangerous, damaging and disrespectful behaviour."[57][58]
Simon Fell, the MP forBarrow and Furness, said of the paper: "This is a 'paper' set up by a conspiracy theorist who makes a pretty penny from selling t-shirts about global conspiracies. The only advice I can give people is to wash their hands after popping it in the recycling bin. Last time I looked there was no shortage of toilet roll anymore and people had stopped stockpiling. Consequently I can't imagine the demand for this will be high."[59][60]
