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.
From false images linked to RRB NTPC protests and resurfacing of an old video claiming to show ‘worms in face masks’, to the misidentification of historian and journalist Vijay Prashad as ‘Vijay Singh IAS’, fact checkers had their work cut out by social media this past week. Here are the top five fact checks by Newschecker this last week:
Daring Driver Makes A Cliffhanger U-Turn? Viral Video Is Not What It Seems
A video, showing a driver making a daring U-Turn on a one way road beside a cliff, claiming to show ‘driver who was stuck on a hill road en route Manali’ has gone viral on social media. Newschecker has found that the video is not from India and that it was shot from an angle which did not reveal a parallel road below, and that the stunt was conducted by a professional driver. Read more here.
Vijay Singh IAS? No, Man Bashing Western World In Viral Video Is Historian Vijay Prashad
A viral video, claiming to show one ‘Vijay Singh IAS’ bashing the western world for colonialism and their condescension to the countries in the ‘global south’ is being shared by several social media users on Facebook and WhatsApp. Newschecker has found that the video shows marxist historian and journalist Vijay Prashad speaking at the COP26 Coalition and not ‘IAS Officer Vijay Singh’. Read more here.
No, There Are No Worms In Surgical Face Masks! Viral Claim Is FAKE
Amid a spike in coronavirus cases in the country, an old video claiming to show ‘worms’ in disposable masks, which in-turn cause COVID when inhaled, has been revived again. The viral video shows a man setting a bunch of disposable masks on fire while claiming that his ‘research’ proves the presence of ‘black-coloured tiny worms’ inside face masks. However, the viral claim that face masks have worms in them is false and devoid of facts. Read more here.
Viral Images Claiming To Show Police Crackdown On Protests Over RRB NTPC Tests Are From 2018
Poll-bound UP and Bihar have emerged as the centre of recent protests over the RRB NTPC exam with the police cracking down on a group of protestors who allegedly tried to stop a train in Prayagraj on Tuesday. In Bihar, the protest turned violent after a group of protestors torched four empty coaches of a train in Gaya on Wednesday. In this backdrop, several social media users are sharing old images, from 2018, claiming to show the recent police clampdown on protestors. Read more here.
Did Rahul Gandhi Have Food With Face Mask On? No, Misleading Claim Resurfaces Ahead Of Elections
The country is witnessing frantic political activity and the war-of-words among various parties have escalated ahead of the assembly elections in five states, including Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, in February. It is in this backdrop, an old image of Rahul Gandhi wearing a face mask while seated in front of his meal has become a subject of mockery on social media, with many users claiming that the Congress leader ‘eats food while mask on.’ Read more here.
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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.
