By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Martin Hibbert and his daughter, severely injured in the Manchester Arena bombing, won a lawsuit against a YouTuber who falsely claimed the attack was staged and secretly filmed them. The YouTuber, Richard Hall, spread conspiracy theories across his 16-million-view YouTube channel, including claims that the Hibberts were “crisis actors.” The court condemned Hall’s actions as gravely unacceptable, awarding the family damages. Hibbert now advocates for “Eve’s Law,” a new criminal offense protecting victims of tragedy from online harassment by conspiracy theorists, and for improved legal access for such victims.
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Manchester Arena attack survivors, like many victims of mass violence, are facing an unimaginable secondary trauma: the relentless harassment of conspiracy theorists. It’s a cruel reality that extends far beyond the immediate aftermath of such tragedies, inflicting lasting emotional wounds and undermining the healing process.
This isn’t simply a matter of differing opinions; it’s a calculated campaign of misinformation designed to sow discord and profit from the suffering of others. These are not legitimate “theories,” but rather malicious fabrications presented as credible alternatives to established facts.
The sheer volume of individuals involved in orchestrating these narratives is staggering. The logistics of faking a mass casualty event like the Manchester Arena attack would require a level of coordination and resources that borders on the impossible. Even Hollywood productions with enormous budgets wouldn’t be able to pull this off seamlessly. The scale of deception required is wildly disproportionate to any potential gain.
This deliberate propagation of falsehoods is not harmless speculation. It’s profoundly damaging to victims, their families, and the collective societal effort to heal and prevent future tragedies. Survivors, already grappling with the immense grief and trauma, are forced to endure further torment from individuals who deny the reality of their suffering.
The motives are multifaceted. While some may be driven by an insatiable need to feel superior and in possession of “secret knowledge,” a significant portion of this activity is clearly profit-driven. The generation of content around conspiracy theories has become a lucrative industry, with individuals and groups capitalizing on outrage and fear.
Furthermore, there’s a distinct political element at play. These conspiracies aren’t formed in a vacuum; they’re often exploited for political gain, fueling division and hindering crucial efforts toward reform and preventative measures. For example, the persistent narrative that mass shootings are staged to erode gun rights serves primarily to protect the status quo, irrespective of the human cost.
The phenomenon is strikingly similar to historical instances of Holocaust denial or other attempts to rewrite the narrative of genocides. These are not matters of opinion; they are documented historical events that cannot be subject to debate or distortion. Allowing such narratives to be presented as legitimate “theories” is a dangerous precedent, enabling the spread of disinformation and undermining the very foundations of truth.
The ease with which conspiracy theories spread online contributes significantly to the problem. Social media algorithms, designed to maximize engagement, often amplify the reach of extreme views, creating echo chambers where misinformation flourishes unchecked. This constant exposure further intensifies the trauma for victims, creating an unending cycle of harassment and emotional distress.
The argument that this is simply “free speech” is a dangerous oversimplification. While freedom of expression is paramount, it does not extend to the deliberate dissemination of false information that causes direct harm to others. There needs to be a legal framework that protects victims from this kind of malicious propaganda and holds perpetrators accountable.
The solution lies not only in providing greater legal protection for survivors but also in strengthening mental health services. The individuals who actively participate in spreading these conspiracies often exhibit signs of psychological distress and delusion. Addressing the underlying mental health issues that drive their behavior is crucial, alongside efforts to combat the spread of misinformation through digital platforms.
Ultimately, preventing the relentless spread of conspiracy theories surrounding tragedies like the Manchester Arena attack requires a multifaceted approach. It requires greater legal protections for victims, improved mental health support, stricter regulation of online platforms, and a collective societal commitment to fighting disinformation and promoting evidence-based understanding. The well-being of those who have suffered horrific trauma should not be sacrificed at the altar of unfettered “free speech.”