Jailing Majid Freeman may not suffice. How about scrutinizing role of Sky News, The Guardian, BBC and social media forums?
Rohan Giri
Anti-Hindu violence in Leicester two years back serve as stark reminder on use of disinformation as weapon to ignite conflict, encourage inter-communal trouble and inciting violence.
On September 9, 2023, Majid Freeman, the Islamist who was instrumental in igniting violence against Hindus by disseminating false information by design was sentenced to 22 weeks in prison. He was charged for attempt to incite “immediate unlawful violence” during anti-Hindu riots.
District Judge Amar Mehtaat of Northampton Magistrates Court found him guilty which was a substantial but long overdue response to the surge in turmoil . Through his manipulation of mainstream media and social media platforms such as BBC, The Guardian and Sky News, Freeman disseminated false information leading to targeted attacks against Hindus, their properties and at least two Hindu temples. Violence incited by Freeman is a sobering reminder of dangers of using fake news as a weapon to sow discord among communities.
Spread of violence in Leicester was due to rumours by Islamist fractions which included likes of Freeman. Tensions grew high on August 28, 2022, after an India-Pakistan cricket match. There was confrontation over desecration of the Indian flag, subsequently, things seemed to have eased out and Hindus were instrumental in pacifying the altercation.
However, Freeman manipulated this incident by using his social media networks. Without providing any proof, he asserted that Hindus had chanted “death to Muslims.” Later, law enforcement and investigation teams refuted this assertion, but not before causing further harm.
Given the rapidity of present-day communication, a lie has the potential to spread like wildfire immediately after it is first spoken or written. Freeman’s unfounded accusations against Hindus led to hate and violence against Hindus. His exploitation of social media as a means of instigation demonstrated the potency and dissemination of false information.
Baseless accusations made by Freeman on August 30 that Hindus in Leicester had desecrated the Quran heightened tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities instantly. Even when investigative reports refuted this claim, damage had already been done because of social media.
Freeman’s malicious act to disseminate false information was not confined to small number of exceptional instances. His unrelenting propagation of false information persisted creating a hazardous environment that caused Hindu community members to suffer direct physical harm.
The height of violence against Hindus occurred on September 4, 2022 when their homes, temples and individuals were attacked by a frenzied Islamist mob. Freeman’s made up accusations that Hindus were pursuing a Muslim adolescent which made the situation all the more worse. This act of dangerous mis-information and mis-communication instilled fear, suspicion and violence.
The dissemination of this disinformation had tangible consequences, as evidenced by disturbing incidents of Islamist attacks targeting Hindus in their homes and on streets of Leicester that occurred between September 4 and 7. Acts of violence like vicious stabbing of a Hindu man and vandalism of a temple were directly linked to adverse atmosphere that Freeman’s lies fostered. His persistent use of social media to encourage more acts of violence exposed a calculated plan to sow discord and hatred.
Freeman’s activities extended beyond Leicester. The effect was extensive, reached other areas. His unsettling trend of radicalisation is evident from frequent endorsement of terrorist groups and individuals, such as Hamas and Al-Qaeda terrorist Anwar Al-Awlaki. Freeman’s affiliations with these outfits were not coincidental; rather, they were a component of larger religious perspective that he has long supported. His promotion of violence against non-Muslims and jihad are consistent with terrorism that still threatens international peace and security.
Accusations against Freeman for inciting terrorism and providing support to Hamas, a proscribed terrorist group, were brought against him in July 2023. These accusations demonstrated the more subtle aspects of Freeman’s terrorist agenda and his influence outside the realm of neighbourhood activity. Freeman, in his statement in the court, has acknowledged his frequent verbal support for Hamas between December 2022 and June 2023. His open backing of this terrorist organisation revealed his intent which goes beyond resolving neighbour disputes to include violent propagation of larger radical objectives.
Freeman case reflects terrible real-world effects of a hate speech if allowed to spread. His sentencing to 22 weeks in prison for trying to incite ‘immediate unlawful violence’ is a welcome step toward justice. However, the term sentenced to him is not a sufficient measure for the harm committed by him. His lies directly led to the destruction of property, attack on Hindu people and damage to their places of worship. Communities that had experienced comparatively peaceful existence have been permanently altered by the animosity, distrust and violence that Freeman fostered by manipulating mainstream media and social media.
This leads us to the mainstream media’s cooperation including Sky News, The Guardian and BBC which gave Freeman a forum to disseminate his misinformation. Whether through carelessness or intentional bias, these media outlets were instrumental in giving Freeman’s falsehoods legitimacy. Knowingly or unknowingly, these media outlets played an active part in intensifying violence against Hindu community. In this instance, the media bears a large portion of the blame since they failed to evaluate Freeman’s story carefully which led to spread of violence. Will Sky News, The Guardian, and BBC be held accountable by the British courts?
It is critical to acknowledge that reporting by media without diligence and accountability may be as damaging as the misinformation spread by extremists. By giving Freeman an opportunity, these media outlets amplified his nasty rhetoric. They contributed to transformation of a local issue into national and global spectacle while fuelling communal discontent. Consequences of their negligence are visible as innocent lives were lost, houses ruined, families disenchanted and temples desecrated. Their role in inciting violence against Hindus cannot be overlooked.
Core principle of democratic society is freedom of speech which should never be exploited to defend individuals like Freeman who deliberately incited hatred and violence, used social media to propagate terrorist agenda and encouraged violence against Hindu community.
For victims of Leicester riots, Freeman’s sentence may offer some respite. However, fundamental problems that made such violence possible still need to be addressed. Contemporary societies confront significant obstacles in countering extremism as seen by media’s deliberate spread of disinformation and the ability of social media to disseminate misinformation.
Traditional and social media will have to shoulder responsibility given increased demand for consciousness, being truthful and factually correct. Communities across the world will suffer greatly if lessons from the tragedy in Leicester are not learnt the hard way. Otherwise, vicious cycle of hatred and false information will continue.
(Author is a doctoral fellow at Amity University in Gwalior, content manager at Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies, New Delhi)
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