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.
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
A video of PM Modi’s cutout garlanded with shoes has been shared to show protests in the US amid the Prime Minister’s visit. Multiple users shared it with a sarcastic remark claiming, “Are you still think that an Indian PM got grand reception in the US? #ModiInAmerica #ModiNotWelcome (sic)”
Such posts can be seen here, here and here.
Newschecker also received the video on our tipline (+91-9999499044) requesting to be fact checked.
Also Read: 2019 Incident Of S Jaishankar Cancelling Meeting With US Lawmakers Shared As Recent
Fact
A Yandex reverse image search on the keyframes of the viral footage led us to a tweet by @SohailBobby, dated October 5, 2019, carrying screengrabs from the widely shared clip.
We found that the video was also posted on Facebook by @sunsila144 on November 10, 2019.
Further, we spotted people holding placards related to Kashmir in the viral footage. One of the placards reads, “Stop Killing…Kashmir, Kashmir Mission USA.”
A keyword search for “Kashmir Mission USA” yielded a Facebook page called “Kashmir mission USA women’s wing.” On skimming through their feed, we found a photograph, posted on October 28, 2019, of a woman carrying a placard identical to the one seen in the viral footage. We also saw a poster invitation for a protest in support of Kashmir on September 27, 2019 at E 47th St between UN Plaza & 2nd Avenue, New York. And another invite for a protest on October 27 at 47th street & 1st avenue.
However, since the video has been in circulation since at least October 5, 2019, we concluded that it was likely from the protest in September 2019.
Also Read: Old, Unrelated Images Shared Claiming To Show Anti-Modi Posters In US Amid PM’s Visit
Furthermore, we were able to geolocate the location of the video. The same can be seen here.
Notably, PM Modi had addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on September 27, 2019. Multiple news outlets had also reported on the protest outside the UN establishment against the Prime Minister. Such reports can be seen here, here and here.
We can thus conclude that an old video of protest against PM Modi over the Kashmir issue in New York has been shared out of context.
Also Read: Video of 2019 ‘Howdy Modi’ Event In Texas Falsely Linked To PM Modi’s US Visit
Result: Missing Context
Sources
Tweet By @SohailBobby, Dated October 5, 2019
Facebook Post By @sunsila144, Dated November 10, 2019
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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.
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.
