New documentary to look at impact of misinformation and conspiracy in Ireland

James Cox

A new documentary Fear and Mistrust "delves deep into the growing wave of fear, mistrust, and anger fuelled by misinformation and conspiracy theories in Ireland".

It is set to air this Saturday, October 28th on RTÉ Radio 1.

In September, a protest took place outside the Dáil. The crowd was angry, and TDs had to be escorted out of the building by gardaí.

Thirteen arrests were made and yet, observers seemed unsure as to what the focus of the protest was.  This unrest is not an isolated incident.

Ireland has witnessed anti-immigration protests near direct provision centres and even saw tents set on fire during a protest at a makeshift migrant camp in Dublin. Protests with similar dynamics have emerged, such as the disturbances at libraries in Cork, forcing staff to shut their doors and traffic halting anti-immigration protests in East Wall, Dublin.

The driving force behind these protests is often attributed to far-right groups, and Fear and Mistrust seeks to explore the origins and motivations of this movement. The participants in these protests express concerns that span a range of issues, including immigration, Covid vaccines, trans rights, climate change, and other extreme theories. What binds them together "is a deep-seated mistrust of the government and a fear for the future of the country and their personal safety".

Fear and Mistrust "takes listeners on a journey through the history of right-wing politics in Ireland, from the Blueshirts to the influence of the Internet".

Through interviews, journalist Fergal Gallagher paints a "vivid picture of the individuals behind the movement".

One such interviewee, Jean, discusses her loss of faith in traditional media during the Covid pandemic, leading her to rely on alternative sources for information. Jean's narrative embodies the concerns of many who feel less safe due to demographic changes in Ireland, “I think we're living in very dangerous times. And, that's scary, I am powerless.”

"Fergal Gallagher goes to the heart of the protests, engaging with participants to understand their motivations and the reasons for their eroded trust in government and institutions."

The documentary also introduces listeners to Phil, a self-described conspiracy theorist who once believed in fringe theories about events like the 9/11 attack. He shares the story of his journey into the depths of conspiracy theories and how he managed to extricate himself from the rabbit hole, “The only way I can describe it is like a religious epiphany because all of a sudden the penny drops, and you see the world in a different light for the first time.”

The documentary also features insights from experts who monitor the online and real-life activities of the far-right movement. They shed light on the extent to which this movement poses a threat to democracy in Ireland.

Fear and Mistrust is "an eye-opening exploration of the dark corners of information and disinformation in Ireland, unravelling the complex web of fear, mistrust, and anger that is reshaping the country's political landscape".

The documentary was produced by Fergal Gallagher and Nicoline Greer.

Fear and Mistrust airs on Saturday, October 28th, 2023, at 2pm on RTÉ Radio 1.