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.
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
Video showing a bird that came from nowhere and unfurled the national flag in a kerala village, after it got stuck on the flagpole.
The archived version of the post can be seen here, here and here.
Also Read: AI-Generated Image Of Mother And Child Viral As Real Photo From Wayanad Landslides
Fact
On keyword search using Malayalam keywords, we found a video of the same incident shot from another angle, shared by one Prabhakaran Kuttoth on August 17, 2024. The crow can be clearly seen flying towards and perching on the coconut tree behind the flagpole. The video also shows the crow flying away when it hears the applause after the flag is unfurled.
We found another video from yet another angle shared by 24 News on YouTube on August 18, 2024 showing the crow perched on the coconut tree. This video explained that a phenomenon called optical illusion was at work here, forcing many users to believe that the crow unfurled the flag.
We further contacted Shihab, member, ward no: 7 of Mampad Panchayat, who is seen hoisting the flag in the video over the phone. “This happened at an Anganavadi in Kattumunda, Maramangalam,” he said, adding, “Because of the peculiar angle in which the viral video was filmed, it seemed that the crow had helped unfurl the flag.”
Result: False
Also Read: No, Viral Video Does Not Show Pandit Shivkumar’s Grandson Playing Santoor
Sources
Facebook post by Prabhakaran Kuttoth on August 17, 2024
YouTube video by 24 News on August 18, 2024
Telephone Conversation with Shihab, Member Mambad Grama Panchayat
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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.
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.
