Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
With the Election Commission announcing results for polls in five states and the Russian troops continuing its invasion of Ukraine, fact-checkers were on their toes this week debunking the rampant misinformation and dismantling false narratives spreading online. From video of alleged EVM tampering in Varanasi to an old and unrelated image of a man carrying a child passed off as visuals of recent Peshawar blast to Global Times’ false claim about India lighting up Qutub Minar in the colours of the Russian flag, here are our top five fact-checks this week –
Were EVMs Tampered in Varanasi? Here’s What Actually Happened
The viral video claiming to show EVMs being ‘stolen’ in Varanasi is being shared with false context. While there have been lapses on the part of the Varanasi administration regarding the movement of EVMs, the machines seen in the video are different from the machines used for elections and were solely meant for training purposes. Read more here.
Viral Claim That India’s Population Has Overtaken China Is False
Social media has been abuzz with unsubstantiated claims and speculations ever since it was projected that the population of India will overtake that of China, in the next decade. Some social media posts are already claiming that ‘India’s population has overtaken China on 5th March, 2022.’ However, the claim is untrue. Read more here.
No India Did Not Light Up Qutub Minar In Russian Colours, Global Times Makes Misleading Claim, Deletes Tweet
On March 7, 2022, Global Times, a Chinese newspaper, tweeted three images of the Qutub Minar lit up in blue, red and white. The post claimed, “India lit up the Qutub Minar, one of the landmark buildings in New Delhi, with the colors of the Russian flag.” We found the Global Times’ claim to be misleading. Read more here.
Old Photo Claiming to show aftermath of Peshawar Mosque Blast
An image of a man carrying a child seemingly running away from an explosion in a Peshawar mosque has been shared claiming to show the aftermath of the bomb blast. Newschecker found this image to be old and unconnected to the Peshawar mosque blast. Read more here.
No, This Video Doesn’t Show Ukrainian President And His Wife Singing ‘Endless Love’
A video is going viral on social media with the claim to show Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Volodymyrivna Zelenska singing ‘Endless Love.’ Newschecker has found this claim to be untrue. Read more here.
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
