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.
While the recently concluded elections, and ongoing FIFA World Cup dominated social media trends, politicians/political parties and footballers emerged as the top-most targets of the misinformation. From a fake news snippet falsely citing a non-existent RTI response, claiming an expenditure of Rs 30 Cr for PM’s Morbi visit, to a digitally edited graphic predicting a nearly 50-seat-win for the AAP in Gujarat, here are our top 6 debunks from the past week:
Rs 30 Crore Spent On PM’s Morbi Visit? No, Viral Claim Citing RTI Response Is False
A post shared by TMC national spokesperson Saket Gokhale has snowballed into a controversy, resulting in the leader’s arrest. Gokahle, sharing an alleged report by a Gujarat based paper, had claimed that almost Rs 30 Crore had been spent on the PM’s Morbi visit after 130 people were killed in a bridge collapse. In addition to Gokhale, several other users on social media also shared the same post with the same claim. However, the claim is untrue. Newschecker found that a fake news snippet, falsely citing a non-existent RTI response, is going viral on social media claiming Rs 30 Cr was spent on PM’s Morbi visit. Read more here.
After Calling ‘The Kashmir Files’ A Propaganda, Israeli Filmmaker Nadav Lapid Makes a U-Turn? Here’s The Truth
Several social media users, including actor Anupam Kher and other verified Twitter handles, are claiming that Israeli film-maker Nadav Lapid has reversed his stance on ‘The Kashmir Files’, terming it a brilliant movie. Lapid had called “The Kashmir Files” a “vulgar and propaganda” movie in his speech at the award ceremony during the closing night of the nine-day film festival in Goa on November 28. Newschecker found that Lapid did not go back on his initial comments slamming ‘The Kashmir Files’ to calling it a brilliant film, but that he was misquoted by social media users. Read more here.
Football Legend Pele Not Dead, Viral Posts Are False
Social media was taken aback after several users claimed that former Brazilian football star Pele has passed away amid the FIFA World Cup 2022. Newschecker found the claim to be untrue. Though the Football legend has been hospitalised, his condition is said to be stable. We found an Instagram post from the footballer sharing a medical bulletin released by the hospital where he has been admitted. “Pele, who is suffering from cancer, was admitted to the hospital for chemotherapy-related tests. He also had a lung infection. He is responding favourably to treatment and his condition has not worsened in the last twenty-four hours,” it read. Read more here.
Viral Screengrab Of News Broadcast Predicting 49-54 Seats For AAP In Gujarat Is Edited
A set of two graphics claiming that the debutant Aam Aadmi Party can win around 50 seats in the recently held Gujarat Assembly Elections is going viral following the conclusion of voting in the state. The first image carries a picture of Kejriwal, with Hindi text claiming,“गुजरात चुनाव के पहले चरण में AAPको मिल सकती है 49-54 सीटें. (AAP is likely to win 49-54 seats in the first phase of the Gujarat polls).” The second image shows the AAP having an edge over the BJP with 49-54 seats. Newschecker found that the viral graphics have been digitally edited. Read more here.
Photo From Jai Gurudev Ashram In Mathura Shared As Grand Welcome For Rahul Gandhi In Rajasthan
The Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra is currently passing through the Congress-ruled Rajasthan. Visuals showing huge crowds following Gandhi on streets are flooding social media platforms. One such photo showing an aerial view of a large gathering in an open field is also going viral. Those who shared the image claimed that it showed visuals from the Rajasthan leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. Newschecker found the claim to be untrue. Neither is the photo from Rajasthan, nor does it show visuals from Bharat Jodo Yatra. Read more here.
‘Artificial Woman’ Made In China? No, Video Viral With False Claim
A video showing what appears to be an interaction between a humanoid robot and a person is being widely shared on social media platforms. Those who shared the video claim it shows an “artificial woman made in China,” launched in the Chinese markets who “works for 72 hours without interruption on a single charge.” Social media users further claim that she has been developed by using “100% Fanta flesh material silicone spare parts” and does not require food. Newschecker found the claim to be untrue. 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.