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
CNN forgets it’s on air as the director instructs the reporter and cameraman, who are covering the Israel-Hamas conflict, to pretend there’s been a rocket attack by Hamas and act as if they are running for shelter.
We received this claim on our Whatsapp tipline (9999499044), too, requesting us to fact-check it.
Fact
Newschecker first ran a keyword search for “CNN report Hamas rocket attack”, which led us to the original version of the video on CNN’s website, stating, “CNN team ducks from ‘massive barrage of rockets’ near Israel-Gaza border”. In the report, CNN’s chief international correspondent, Clarissa Ward, describes the attack as it happens. The voiceover from the viral video, directing the crew, is not heard, indicating that it had been added.
A further search led us to a New York Post article, dated October 13, 2023, stating that CNN had debunked a viral video circulating on social media, claiming correspondent Clarissa Ward’s reporting in Israel was staged.
“The audio in the video posted and shared on X is fabricated, inaccurate and irresponsibly distorts the reality of the moment that was covered live on CNN, which people should watch in full for themselves on a trusted platform,” a CNN spokesperson reportedly told The Post. A spokesperson for CNN said in an email to Reuters that the audio in the clip shared online is fabricated.
Taking a cue from the watermark on the viral video reading, The Quartering, we ran a keyword search, which led us to this reply on X by the news and content organisation. The Quartering clarified that the voiceover was not real, indicating that the viral video was intended as a meme.
Also Read: The Video Showing Dead Bodies Moving is from Egypt not Palestine
Result: False
Sources
CNN report
The New York Post report, October 13, 2023
The Quartering post, X, October 11, 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.
