Authors
An enthusiastic journalist, researcher and fact-checker, Shubham believes in maintaining the sanctity of facts and wants to create awareness about misinformation and its perils. Shubham has studied Mathematics at the Banaras Hindu University and holds a diploma in Hindi Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. He has worked in The Print, UNI and Inshorts before joining Newschecker.
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.
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
Amid unrest in France, rioters captured the Republic Square in Paris.
Fact
2019 video of Algerian diaspora protesting against re-election bid of Abdelaziz Bouteflika as Algerian President.
A video of protesters occupying the Place de la République in France’s Paris and waving Algerian flags is being widely shared on social media platforms with users linking it to the ongoing riots in the country over the fatal shooting of a teenage boy by a police officer last week. Those sharing the footage further claimed that the protesters have “captured the Republic Square in Paris,” and that “France has surrendered.” Newschecker found that the video is four-year-old, and has been falsely linked to the ongoing riots in France.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Video Showing Post Office Up In Flames In Philippines Shared As Library Torched By Rioters In France
Fact Check/Verification
A reverse image search on the keyframes of the viral footage led us to a tweet by @Selina_Sykes, dated March 10, 2019. It carried a video of multiple people waving the Algerian flags on the Republic Square as seen in the viral clip. The caption stated, “French-Algerians and Algerians living in France protesting against Bouteflika’s bid for a fifth term. Place de la République in Paris awash with Algerian flags and banners calling for a free and democratic Algeria.”
Another tweet by @xosebouzas, dated March 12, 2019 carried similar visuals of a protest at the Republic Square in Paris.
Also Read: Amid Unrest, French Government Calls Out Viral ‘Internet Ban’ Circular As Fake
We also found a Facebook post by @josephharry.ochieng.9, dated March 5, 2019 , carrying a photograph for protest by the Algerians in Paris. It elaborated, “ French Algerians Protest Against Bouteflika Re-Election Bid. Protests are continuing in Algeria against another term for ailing leader Abdelaziz Bouteflika — and despite reports he’s promised not to serve his full time if reelected in April. Demonstrations mobilized tens of thousands across Algeria — as well as Algeria’s diaspora in former colonial power France.”
Carrying similar visuals of the protest, a report by VOA, dated March 4, 2019, stated, “Roughly 6,000 people crammed the Place de la Republique in downtown Paris on Sunday, chanting and brandishing signs like ‘basta!’ — or enough — and ‘president not found’ — in reference to 82-year-old President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who is confined to a wheelchair and rarely seen in public.”
RFI also reported on the 2019 protests by the Algerian diaspora in France. The same can be seen here.
Also Read: Amid Riots In France, Old & Unrelated Videos Go Viral On Social Media
Conclusion
We could thus conclude that a video of a 2019 protest by the Algerian diaspora in France against the re-election bid of the former Algerian President, Abdelaziz Bouteflika has been falsely linked to the ongoing riots in the country.
Result: False
Sources
Tweet By @Selina_Sykes, Dated March 10, 2019
Facebook Post By @josephharry.ochieng.9, Dated March 5, 2019
Report By VOA, Dated March 4, 2019
Authors
An enthusiastic journalist, researcher and fact-checker, Shubham believes in maintaining the sanctity of facts and wants to create awareness about misinformation and its perils. Shubham has studied Mathematics at the Banaras Hindu University and holds a diploma in Hindi Journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication. He has worked in The Print, UNI and Inshorts before joining Newschecker.
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.
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.
