The Light (newspaper)

The Light is a monthly British, far-right and conspiratorial newspaper founded by flat earther Darren Scott Nesbitt (frequently under the pseudonym Darren Smith) on 27 September 2020. The publication was initially known for claiming the COVID-19 pandemic was a hoax, but has since endorsed articles by Holocaust deniers and Neo-Nazi authors. The paper has a sister publication, named The Irish Light, which was launched in Ireland by Gemma O'Doherty and John Waters. The Light also has affiliated publications in Canada and Australia. The paper has been criticised for spreading COVID-19 misinformation and endorsing antisemitic conspiracy theories including Holocaust denial, as well as making death threats against journalists and health professionals. It regularly prints articles written by conspiracy theorist Vernon Coleman, and according to a review from Harvard Kennedy School "includes content that is aimed at prompting participation and activism amongst adherents of conspiracy theories, rather than simply presenting information". The paper has called for a "second Nuremberg Trial" and executions of journalists, politicians and doctors, leading it to being described by Dave Renton as a "far-right propaganda sheet", whilst other investigative groups have described it as containing "extremist propaganda". Although the company behind the paper was dissolved on 15 February 2021, the BBC reported in June 2023 that at least 100,000 copies of The Light were being printed each month and that the publication had more than 18,000 followers on the social media site Telegram.