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.
Two days after Will Smith’s ‘slapgate’ at the Oscars, an article allegedly written by journalist Rana Ayyub- who is in news after she was prevented to board a flight to London over an alleged money laundering case -titled ‘Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock is an Example of How Hinduism Makes One Violent’ is going viral on social media platforms with users believing it to be true. Newschecker found the viral article to be a satire.
Several Twitter users shared the article lashing out at Ayyub over her alleged write-up linking Hinduism and violence.
A screenshot of the article is being widely shared on Facebook.
Despite winning the award for the Best Actor in a Leading Role, Will Smith’s ‘limelight’ moment at the recently held Academy Awards was when he slapped comedian Chris Rock for cracking a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
The Hinduism angle in the viral article can be traced down to 2019 when Smith had visited Haridwar to shoot for his Facebook Watch show “Will Smith’s Bucket List” and shared a series of pictures from his India tour on Instagram, in which he can be seen participating in ‘Hindu’ rituals with the caption, “My Grandmother used to say, “God Teaches through Experience”. Traveling to India & Experiencing the colors, people and natural beauty has awakened a new understanding of myself, my Art & the Truths of the world.”
Also Read: No, CEO Of Disney Was Not Arrested For Human Trafficking, Viral Article Is A Satire
Fact Check/Verification
On inspecting the link shared by the posts, we were led to an article published in The Fauxy on March 28, 2022, titled ‘Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock is an Example of How Hinduism Makes One Violent | Writes Rana Ayyub.’ In the by-line, the article is credited to ‘Fauxy.’
We scanned through the website and found a disclaimer clarifying, ”The Fauxy is an entertainment portal. The content of this website is purely for entertainment purposes and readers are advised not to confuse the articles of The Fauxy as genuine and true.”
The ‘About Us’ section on the website states, “The Fauxy is an entertainment media company that connects with young, intelligent and diverse audiences that are shaping our future. Through thought-provoking comedy, and high-impact storytelling we aim to start a conversation around subjects that are usually viewed as a taboo for today’s youth.”
Its Twitter and Instagram bio read, “India’s Finest, Fastest & Fictitious News Source.” While on Facebook, The Fauxy’s page is categorised as ‘Satire/Parody.’
We can thus conclude that the content published in the website is fictitious and satirical in nature and has nothing to do with reality.
This is not the first time that social media users have believed that satire content published by the website as genuine. Newschecker has debunked multiple ‘fictitious news’ believed to be authentic by people. You can read our fact checks here, here and here.
Rana Ayyub also clarified that the viral article is a satire. She tweeted, “Another virtual lynch mob after this fake news masquerading as satire goes viral.”
Conclusion
Rana Ayyub didn’t say, ‘Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock is an Example of How Hinduism Makes One Violent.’ Viral article is a satire.
Result: Satire
Sources
The Fauxy
Twitter Account Of Rana Ayyub
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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.
