A local news website launched using fake journalist profiles and dubious use of AI appears to have closed.

The website of the Bournemouth Observer, which was exposed by an HTFP investigation last summer, now redirects to the homepage of the BBC.

We revealed in July how the Observer had used photos from a stock picture archive to illustrate biographies of the 11 ‘journalists’ it claimed to have on staff, while some of its content raised questions about the use of AI after police failed to find any record of two incidents it reported on.

Paul Giles, a representative of the site, later admitted creating fake journalist profiles and using robots to help write content.

The biography of David Roberts, apparently editor of the Bournemouth Observer, complete with photo that originates from a stock picture archive

The Observer was still operational at the end of 2023, although it was updated only sporadically and carried only general interest articles.

However, operation of the site now seems to have ceased, while an X account associated with the title has not posted since August.

The Observer was originally launched in June with bizarrely-written profiles of 11 ‘journalists’ it claimed to have on staff, including “esteemed editor” David Roberts and “middle-aged journalist” Simon Foster.

However, our probe revealed it had used photos from a stock picture archive to illustrate the profiles which Mr Giles later admitted were “pseudonyms”.

We also revealed that the Observer is linked through its IP address to a series of other Dorset businesses including an antiques shop, of which Mr Giles is listed as owner on LinkedIn, a digital marketing operation and a life coaching business.

He subsequently confirmed his intention to move the Observer, which offers advertising opportunities for readers, away from being a news-based project towards being a blog.

HTFP has approached Mr Giles for further information on the apparent closure but he has yet to respond.