Misinformation Surrounding King Charles III's Death Circulates in Russian Media
A false report of King Charles III's death circulated in Russian media on Monday, causing a stir and highlighting the issue of viral disinformation. The rumor, which claimed that the British monarch had passed away, was widely shared across various Russian internet channels, including Vedomosti, a formerly reputable business newspaper, and Readovka, a pro-Kremlin Telegram channel with over 2.35 million subscribers.
Despite the lack of confirmation from official British media or a public statement from Buckingham Palace, the news spread rapidly. The source of the rumor was an unverified document, allegedly from royal communications, stating that the king had passed away unexpectedly. The document, dated 18 March 2024, was all the evidence provided.
The false news quickly spread beyond Russia, reaching Ukraine and even Tajikistan, where it was reported by Asia-Plus, the country's largest independent media outlet. However, doubts about the veracity of the news began to emerge. The Russian website Gazeta.Ru, which initially reported the king's death, later edited its post to suggest that the information was likely fake.
The incident sparked a flurry of memes and satirical posts, with one pro-Kremlin channel sharing a photoshopped image of King Charles III to dispel rumors about his death. The Russian foreign ministry spokesperson shared the post, commenting on London's "pathetic" appearance.
The Russian state news agency Tass eventually clarified the situation, reporting that King Charles III was alive and continuing to perform his official duties and attend private engagements. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the power and potential harm of disinformation, particularly in the digital age.
News Agencies