Authors
Zakariya has an experience of working for Magazines, Newspapers and News Portals. Before joining Newschecker, he was working with Network18’s Urdu channel. Zakariya completed his post-graduation in Mass Communication & Journalism from Lucknow University.
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
Photo shows aircraft landing at Beirut airport amid Israeli attack.
Fact
Image found to be AI generated.
A photo showing a plane mid-air while a massive explosion rages in the background, has gone viral online following the reports of Israeli airstrikes near Beirut’s airport earlier this week. Multiple social media users shared the “iconic” video claiming to show an aircraft landing at Beirut International Airport amid Israeli attack. Newschecker, however, found the photo to be AI generated.
The photo is being widely posted on Facebook and X with users claiming to show the “MEA airline landing in Beirut International Airport” as Israel drops bombs.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Fact Check/Verification
A reverse image search on the viral photo did not yield any credible results stating that it was from the Beirut airport.
On carefully analysing the image, we spotted a tree on the aircraft’s fin, and looked up the same on Google lens. This led us to the official website of Middle East Airlines, and OneSpotter.com featuring images of similar aircrafts.
After comparing an aircraft of the Middle East Airlines, and the plane seen in the viral photo, and found multiple discrepancies.
We then looked up the viral image of multiple AI detection platforms, such as Illuminarty and Hive Moderation, which detected a high probability of it being generated by artificial intelligence.
Furthermore, an Instagram post by @eyesoflebanon, dated October 21, 2024, also carried the same image, along with another similar photo, clarifying that they were, “AI generated photos depicting the real situation.”
Conclusion
The viral image shared to show an aircraft landing at Beirut airport amid Israeli attack was found to be AI generated.
Result: Altered Photo
Sources
Illuminarty Website
Hive Moderation Website
Instagram Post By @eyesoflebanon, Dated October 21, 2024
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Authors
Zakariya has an experience of working for Magazines, Newspapers and News Portals. Before joining Newschecker, he was working with Network18’s Urdu channel. Zakariya completed his post-graduation in Mass Communication & Journalism from Lucknow University.
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.
