AI-Generated Disinformation Campaign Targets Manchester Readers with Fake Journalist
MANCHESTER, UK – September 8, 2025 – Readers of The Mill, a Manchester-based online publication, have been targeted by a complex disinformation campaign utilizing artificial intelligence to create a fabricated journalist and generate misleading news content. The scheme, discovered this week, involved a seemingly authentic online persona and articles designed to mimic the publication’s style, raising concerns about the growing threat of AI-driven propaganda and it’s impact on local news ecosystems.
The fraudulent operation centered around a fictitious journalist named “David Miller,” who published several articles on a platform designed to resemble The Mill‘s website. These articles, generated by AI, contained inaccuracies and potentially biased details, aiming to subtly influence public opinion.The Mill discovered the deception after receiving inquiries from concerned readers questioning the authenticity of “Miller’s” reporting and noticing stylistic anomalies. The publication has since taken down the imposter site and alerted relevant authorities.”We became aware of a website mimicking our branding and publishing articles under a false byline,” explained the Mill editor, Sarah Clarke. “Upon examination, it became clear that the content was AI-generated and the journalist did not exist. This is a deeply concerning development, demonstrating how easily AI can be used to spread disinformation and erode trust in legitimate news sources.”
the incident underscores a rapidly escalating challenge for news organizations globally. AI writing tools are becoming increasingly sophisticated, capable of producing convincing text that is difficult to distinguish from human-authored content. This technology, while offering potential benefits for journalism, also presents a significant risk of misuse. Experts warn that malicious actors can leverage AI to create and disseminate propaganda,manipulate public discourse,and even interfere with democratic processes.
According to a recent report by the Digital Forensic Research Lab, AI-generated disinformation campaigns have increased by 700% in the last year, with a particular focus on local news outlets. These outlets are ofen targeted because they have limited resources to detect and counter such attacks.
The Mill is currently working with cybersecurity experts to identify the source of the disinformation campaign and understand its objectives. The publication is also implementing enhanced verification procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for media literacy and critical thinking skills in the digital age, as well as the importance of supporting independent, fact-based journalism. Readers are urged to verify information from multiple sources and be wary of content that appears too good – or too bad – to be true.
