In the sprawling digital environment, the phenomenon of fake news websites has become increasingly pervasive, and the name John Mark Dougan has surfaced in connection with this concerning trend. This article delves into the role of Dougan within the sphere of online disinformation, particularly his involvement with websites disseminating fabricated content.
The narrative traces back to April 2021 when John Mark Dougan resurrected DC Weekly, a website previously established four years prior. Notably, DC Weekly’s past activity involved publishing deceptive articles specifically targeting the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. A comprehensive report from Clemson’s Media Forensics Hub in December highlighted a significant link: the domain and internet protocol address of DC Weekly were shared with PBSOTalk and John Mark Dougan’s personal online presence. This digital footprint extended to marketing books authored by Dougan during his time abroad, and Falcon Eye Tech, a security firm offering “offshore security monitoring services” that he operated. This connection establishes a clear digital infrastructure associated with Dougan and the websites in question.
Following the onset of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, DC Weekly shifted its focus to the conflict, publishing articles related to the war. However, the site’s trajectory took a darker turn in August of the same year. It began to disseminate articles built upon elaborate falsehoods. Western government officials and disinformation researchers identified these fabrications as originating from Russian propaganda units. The pattern observed was a process of “narrative laundering.” These baseless claims often initially surfaced in videos or audio recordings on obscure X (formerly Twitter) accounts or YouTube channels. Subsequently, they would migrate to platforms like DC Weekly, and from there, gain further traction by being amplified by Russian state media outlets, presented as if they were legitimate accusations.
These fabricated narratives were diverse and sensational, alleging clandestine luxury asset purchases by relatives or close associates of Ukraine’s leadership, including properties, yachts, and jewelry. Another outlandish claim targeted Prince Andrew, alleging the British royal’s involvement in child abduction and abuse during a purported secret visit to Ukraine. These examples illustrate the extreme and unfounded nature of the disinformation being circulated.
The proliferation of fake news sites is not limited to DC Weekly. Recent months have witnessed the emergence of numerous new websites designed to mimic local news outlets. Examples include names like The Chicago Chronicle, The Miami Chronicle, The Boston Times, The Flagstaff Post, and The Houston Post. Furthermore, some sites have engaged in name hijacking or imitation, appropriating or closely resembling the names of established news organizations, such as leveraging “The San Francisco Chronicle” or creating near-identical names like “The New York News Daily.”
When The New York Times published a report in March detailing this network of sites, DC Weekly issued an extensive response under the pseudonym Jessica Devlin, one of the site’s fabricated journalist personas. The writing style of this response was notably stilted, strongly suggesting the use of artificial intelligence in its composition. The article, attributed to Jessica Devlin, included a denial, stating, “I’m not a shadowy foreign actor,” in an attempt to deflect accusations of foreign influence or malicious intent.
The connection of John Mark Dougan to DC Weekly, a key player in this ecosystem of fake news, highlights the complex and often obscured origins of online disinformation. Understanding these networks and the individuals involved is crucial in combating the spread of fabricated narratives in the digital age.
