Journalist Fergal Gallagher writes about Documentary On One: Fear and Mistrust, which explores how misinformation and conspiracy have fueled fear, and potentially led to an increase in protests in Ireland.
I started working as a journalist in America when Donald Trump first emerged as a candidate for the US presidency. I was a producer for ABC News, working to verify images and video from social media published on all the TV network's platforms.
In that role, I covered the rise of political disinformation online - particularly around the threat of migrants on the southern border, and how it influenced the 2016 campaign.
I saw the language used in online groups in the United States become more hateful and violent. Soon after, the world watched as anger spilled onto the streets with the attack on the Capitol in Washington D.C. on January 6, 2021.
Obviously, the political landscape in Ireland is very different to that of America. Through social media, I was aware of the emergence of some anti-migrant movements in Ireland during my time away, but when I came back at the end of 2021, I was surprised by how much it had grown.
Particularly over the last year, we’ve seen a new type of anger at protests around the country.
At first, they were outside migrant accommodation centres; then, over the summer, migrants’ tents were set on fire outside the International Protection Office in Dublin; then libraries were targeted because of a sex education book aimed at pre-teens and young teens.
outside the International Protection Office, in Dublin (Pic: Getty Images)
In Fear and Mistrust, I explore the roots of this movement - both foreign and domestic - to find out if it is really driven by far right elements and conspiracy theories, and where it might be going next.
I speak to experts who have been monitoring the rise of these groups online, and go along to a number of protests to see what has these people so exercised.
I meet a woman who supports the protests and what fears she has about the changes that are happening in the country.
We also hear from a former conspiracy theorist who outlines what conditions led him down the rabbit hole and the unusual conversation he had that ultimately led him out of that rabbit hole.
What struck me is that many of these people have genuine fears and concerns, and their mistrust of institutions is at times being manipulated.
What I found was a complex story where global events, Irish politics, personal lives and social media combine to create the atmosphere for these protests.
Listen to more from Documentary On One here. Produced by Fergal Gallagher and Nicoline Greer.
