Fake news 'expert' caught claiming a doctorate he never earned
RTE.IE
'disinformation'
SUMMARY

Tom Felle, a University of Galway associate professor and expert on disinformation and fake news, falsely claimed a journalism doctorate from City, University of London, an investigation found.

Felle, appointed in 2024 as an expert assessor for Ireland’s media regulator, said City awarded him a PhD by prior publication in 2022, but the university confirmed none of its journalism doctorates that period came through that route.

He could not recall his thesis title, said he had no supervisor or examiner, and no copy exists in the library. Galway removed “Dr” from several webpages. Felle did not respond to follow-up questions.

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