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
Virat Kohli watching Rahul Gandhi’s press conference on his mobile phone.
Fact
Photograph has been digitally altered to place a still from Gandhi’s press conference on Kohli’s mobile screen.
A photograph showing Indian cricketer Virat Kohli watching Rahul Gandhi’s press conference on his mobile phone is being widely shared on social media platforms. Multiple users shared the image claiming to show the “exclusive visuals” of “Virat Kohli watching RG’s PC yesterday.” Newschecke found that the viral image has been digitally manipulated.
The image is being widely shared on X.
Archived versions of such posts can be found here, here, here and here.
Multiple Facebook users also posted the photograph.
Such posts can be found here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Viral Ad Of Virat Kohli Promoting Online Casino Is Not Real, But Deepfake
Fact Check/Verification
A Google lens search on the viral image led us to an X post by @BluntIndianGal, dated March 21, 2024. It carried a similar picture of Kohli on his phone with the caption, “Can you guys decode what is Kohli scrolling in his phone 👀.”
On comparing the viral image with the photograph of the cricketer posted by @BluntIndianGal, we could conclude that a still from Rahul Gandhi’s press conference was digitally added in the widely circulated picture.
Also Read: Old Visuals From ‘No Vote To BJP’ Campaign From 2021 Shared As Recent
We found that the photograph was also shared by a verified fan page of Kohli on Facebook, ViratGang on March 21, 2024, with the caption “Virat Kohli chilling before the shoot for Jio advertisement commence. 😊”
Notably, the original picture was shared by multiple fan pages of Kohli on March 21, 2024 like this, this and this. While we observed that the edited picture with the caption “Virat Kohli watching RG’s PC yesterday,” was posted on Facebook and X on March 22, 2024.
Also Read: 2021 Video Of TMC Leader Being Chased Away In Bengal Shared As Recent
Conclusion
We could thus conclude that the viral photograph of Viral Kohli watching Rahul Gandhi’s press conference has been digitally edited.
Result: Altered Photo
Sources
X post by @BluntIndianGal, dated March 21, 2024
Facebook Post By ViratGang, Dated March 21, 2024
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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.
