Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Hoardings claiming that PM Narendra Modi is the most popular world leader has been put up at various places across the capital amid the G20 summit.
Fact
Hoarding not related to the G20 summit, the viral image dates back to April 2023.
Several social media users are circulating an image of a hoarding, which purportedly shows that PM Narendra Modi has the highest approval rating, compared to other world leaders, including US President Joe Biden. The users sharing the image claimed that the ruling BJP has recently put up such “shameless PR” posters across New Delhi, where the G20 Leaders’ Summit will be held in New Delhi on September 9-10, 2023. More than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union, invited guest countries, and 14 heads of international organisations are expected to attend.
The archived versions of the tweets can be seen here and here.
Fact Check
Newschecker first ran a reverse image search of the viral photo, which led us to this Seattle Times report, dated September 5, 2023, featuring the viral photo.
“A man on a bicycle rides past a billboard that projects Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the most popular among world leaders, in New Delhi, India, April 6, 2023. The Indian government has seized upon its role as host of this year’s G20 summit and mounted an advertising blitz that stresses India’s growing clout under Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” read the caption of the file photo, which was credited to AP.
We found the photo in AP’s website, dated April 6, 2023, titled “India Opposition Protest”.
“An office-goer on a bicycle rides past a huge hoarding showing Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s popularity among world leaders being the highest, in New Delhi, India, Thursday, April 6, 2023. Over 100 Congress and other opposition lawmakers hold a protest march as the Indian Parliament’s budget session ends, marred by shouting and disruption of proceedings in a standoff with the Modi government. They chant slogans warning India’s democracy is in danger and accuse the Modi government of “misusing” government-run investigating agencies to intimidate opposition leaders,” read the caption, confirming that it is an old photo.
We also came across this PIB Fact Check’s tweet, dated September 8, 2023, stating the viral image is of an old hoarding and unrelated to G20.
A further search led us to multiple media reports, published in February this year, about Prime Minister Narendra Modi being pegged as the world’s most popular leader with an approval rating of 78 per cent as per a survey by a US-based consulting firm ‘Morning Consult.’
“PM Modi garnered 78 per cent of approval ratings, way ahead of US President Joe Biden, who received 40 per cent ratings. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador came in second with 68 per cent ratings and Swiss President Alain Berset occupied the third position with 62 per cent approval rating,” read an NDTV report, dated February 4, 2023. Similar reports can be seen here and here, confirming that the hoarding was based on the survey that collected its data from January 26-31 this year.
Also Read: 2015 Video Of Surat Police Thrashing Two Men For Harassing Women Falsely Linked To Raksha Bandhan
Conclusion
Viral image of hoarding showing PM Narendra Modi as the world’s most popular leader is old and not related to the G20 summit.
Result: Missing Context
Sources
The Seattle Times report, September 5, 2023
AP Newsroom photo, April 6, 2023
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Authors
Kushel HM is a mechanical engineer-turned-journalist, who loves all things football, tennis and films. He was with the news desk at the Hindustan Times, Mumbai, before joining Newschecker.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
