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Thousands Turn up to Non-Existent New Year’s Display After Fake Advert Prank for Second Year in Row
False online adverts and AI-generated images led thousands to gather expecting a fireworks display, causing city congestion and safety concerns, police said.
- On Wednesday, revellers were misled into gathering in Centenary Square, Birmingham city centre, expecting a New Year’s Eve fireworks display that never happened, leaving attendees waiting in vain after midnight.
- A wave of viral posts and AI-generated images spread claims of a major show, with mocked-up adverts and viral social media posts promoting a bogus 'biggest New Year’s party' this year.
- On Tuesday, West Midlands Police warned there were no official events in the city centre and deployed officers in the square this year to tell attendees there was no event, cautioning misinformation can create "real safety issues" for public transport and emergency services.
- The bogus event left crowds frustrated as families and tourists who travelled to the city centre were left disappointed, marking the second consecutive year of similar hoaxes causing disruption.
- Officials note rumours about big celebrations spread online every year, with mock adverts circulating last year in Centenary Square and national reports of fake London Christmas market and AI images last month.
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13 Articles
13 Articles
Hundreds Fooled by Fireworks Hoax in UK
Birmingham, England, rang in the new year with a countdown to absolutely nothing—for the second straight year. Hundreds of people packed Centenary Square on New Year's Eve after posts on social media touted a fireworks show in the city center, complete with promotional graphics and timings, the Telegraph reports....
·Miami, United States
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They fell victim to misleading advertisements and online postings
Hundreds of citizens of Birmingham, England, were waiting for New Year's fireworks in the city center that were not even scheduled, writes the British newspaper The Telegraph.
·Belgrade, Serbia
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left5Leaning Right4Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution42% Left
Bias Distribution
- 42% of the sources lean Left
42% Left
L 42%
C 25%
R 33%
Factuality
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