Security upped for BBC reporters after anti-vaxxer 'death threats'
BBC reporters are being offered training in dealing with attacks after death threats from anti-vaxxer conspiracy theorists.
The British public broadcaster's reporters have been targeted online by people who believe the coronavirus pandemic is a sham, The Observer has reported.
Many of the threats have originated from social media platform Telegram, which is unregulated and popular with far-right users.
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Anti-vaccination protesters demand an end to the London lockdown. Getty
Commenting on footage of Newsnight's political editor Nicholas Watt being harangued by anti-vaxxers, one Telegram user reportedly wrote "I hope he gets killed".
Responses included, "If the police weren't there, he could and should have been lynched" and "I hope people track him down".
Users also reportedly posted contact information about BBC journalists.
Journalist Nicholas Watt was the subject of "death threats" online. BBC
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The footage of Watt was posted online by conspiracy group GB Britain.
The BBC is now offering training in dealing with an "in person attack" and providing support to people who have been affected by the abuse.
A spokesperson for UN-supported group Tech Against Terrorism told the Observer that anti-vaxxers were being increasingly found in far-right spaces online.
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