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.
From videos being shared out of context to revival of old WhatsApp hoaxes, it has been a busy week for the fake news peddlers, and for us, debunking them. While videos of a shopping complex fire from 2015 was shared, claiming to show the recent drone attack In Abu Dhabi, a video Of Ayyappa devotees singing ‘La Ilaha Illallah’ shared out of context with communal claims. And as COVID cases continue to spike, old WhatsApp hoaxes are also being resurrected, like the one claiming that Bill Gates called for COVID vaccine to be withdrawn. That and much more, here are the top five fake news debunked by Newschecker in the last one week:
Old Visuals Of Supermarket Fire Shared As Videos Of Drone Attack In Abu Dhabi
Three people, including two Indian nationals were killed in an explosion near a major oil storage facility near the Abu Dhabi airport, in a suspected drone attack by Houthi rebels. And while the tragedy unfolded, social media was abuzz with several unrelated videos, claiming to be from the incident. Notably, a 2020 video of a market fire in Dubai and a 2015 fire accident that took place in Abu Dhabi were widely shared by journalists, think tanks and other social media users as instances of recent drone attack in Abu Dhabi. Read more here.
Old Hoax Claiming ‘Bill Gates Called For COVID Vaccine Withdrawal’ Resurfaces On WhatsApp
A viral WhatsApp forward attributed to American Billionaire Bill Gates claims that the philanthropist called for the withdrawal of the COVID 19 vaccine rollout over its complications, calling it ‘more dangerous than anyone imagined.’ Newschecker has found that the claim is an old one and has been revived recently. Read more here.
Video Of Ayyappa Devotees Singing ‘La Ilaha Illallah’ Shared Out Of Context With Communal Claim
A WhatsApp video that claims to show a group of Ayyappa devotees singing praise to Allah , in a ‘temple in Kerala’, has gone viral on the messenger platform. The video alleges that as a consequence of Communist government’s policies in Kerala, that allow Muslims and Christians without knowledge of Vedas to become priests in Hindu Temples, praises are being sung to Islamic Gods in a temple premises in ‘Yedurappa’. Newschecker has found that the viral video makes misleading claims. Read more here.
Viral Post Claiming Doctor Breaking Down At Mother’s Death During Childbirth Is Fabricated
A social media post, allegedly written and published by a doctor, claiming that he broke down at a mother’s death during childbirth is going viral. The post is accompanied by the image of a woman with a newborn and a man, whom the viral claim identifies as the doctor. Newschecker has found the claim to be fake. The woman in the picture didn’t die, and the man is not a doctor. The images were taken in two separate places at different times and have been given a fabricated spin. Read more here.
Did Akhilesh Yadav Promise To Build 2,000 New Mosques In UP If SP Wins? No, Viral Claim Is Fake
Social media users are sharing an image, that claims to show a set of promises by Akhilesh Yadav, including construction of 2000 new mosques in UP, Rs 1,000 crore for Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, and abolition of ‘Love Jihad’ law, among others if the SP government comes to power in UP. Newschecker has found out that the viral image is fabricated and fake. 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.
