Authors
Sabloo Thomas has worked as a special correspondent with the Deccan Chronicle from 2011 to December 2019. Post-Deccan Chronicle, he freelanced for various websites and worked in the capacity of a translator as well (English to Malayalam and Malayalam to English). He’s also worked with the New Indian Express as a reporter, senior reporter, and principal correspondent. He joined Express in 2001.
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.
Claim
A photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi covered with white paper at the Kozhikode railway station.
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Fact
A reverse image search on the viral photograph led us to an X post by @nach1keta, dated May 2, 2024. It carried the viral image, and a screengrab from a Manorama News report, stating, “Modi’s face covered at the railway station and elsewhere did not make news as the Election Code of Conduct came into effect. But removing it from the vaccine certificates made news.”
Also Read: Viral Ad Campaign On Election In The Name Of Amul Is Fake
We reached out to the PRO office of Thiruvananthapuram Railway Division, and were informed that the Prime Minister’s photograph was covered in accordance with the election code of conduct. “All photographs of elected representatives, not just the Prime Minister, in the central government offices are hidden when the code of conduct is in place.”
Adding, “One Station One Product is the Prime Minister’s project, and hence his photograph on such stalls was hidden when the code of conduct came into force.”
On reaching out to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala, we were told, “If there is a photograph of any elected public representative in government offices, it is hidden when the Election code of conduct comes into force.”
We could thus conclude that a photo of PM Modi at the Kozhikode railway station hidden in accordance with the Election code of conduct has been shared out of context.
Also Read: 15-Year-Old Comment From A Reader Goes Viral As New York Times Article Hailing Indian Elections
Result: Missing Context
Sources
Telephone Conversation With Railway PR Office, Thiruvananthapuram
Telephonic Conversation With Office Of Chief Electoral Officer, Kerala
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Authors
Sabloo Thomas has worked as a special correspondent with the Deccan Chronicle from 2011 to December 2019. Post-Deccan Chronicle, he freelanced for various websites and worked in the capacity of a translator as well (English to Malayalam and Malayalam to English). He’s also worked with the New Indian Express as a reporter, senior reporter, and principal correspondent. He joined Express in 2001.
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.
