Authors
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.
The menace of misinformation is becoming more and more serious, and as everyday passes by, the amount of misinformation finding its way into the social media is only growing. As the Russia-Ukraine war continues for yet another week, posts claiming to be from the war front, or Zelensky’s videos from his past days as a TV star continue to be shared widely by social media users. Meanwhile, in the Indian context, politics and religion continue to dominate the discourse in the social media space. Here is a list of some of the most widely shared fake news that have been debunked by Newschecker this past week.
Viral Video Of Himalaya ‘Owner’ Asking Crowd Not To Buy Reliance Or Patanjali Products Is False
The Himalaya group found itself in the centre of controversy on Thursday, when it started trending on Twitter India, as several users called for a boycott of the products over the company’s ‘halal certification’. The posts on social media called for the boycott of the company’s products over claims of halal certification of its product. In this context, a video showing a man addressing a large assembly, exhorting them to boycott Reliance and Patanjali products is also being widely shared by many social media users, identifying the man as the ‘owner of Himalaya company.’ Newschecker has found this claim to be false. Read the full fact check here.
No, Rana Ayyub Didn’t Link Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock To Hinduism, Viral Article Is A Satire
Two days after Will Smith’s ‘slapgate’ at the Oscars, an article allegedly written by journalist Rana Ayyub- who is in news after she was prevented to board a flight to London over an alleged money laundering case -titled ‘Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock is an Example of How Hinduism Makes One Violent’ is going viral on social media platforms with users believing it to be true. Newschecker found the viral article to be a satire. Read the full fact check here.
Stabbing Of ‘28-Year-Old’ In Delhi’s Naraina Shared With Misleading Claim
Five people were arrested and a minor was apprehended for allegedly killing a man, identified as Shiva Gurjar, in Delhi’s Naraina on March 18 after an argument. Over a week after the incident, social media was rife with posts seeking ‘justice’ for Shiva Gurjar. Several Twitter users shared the video of an injured and bloody Shiva Gurjar on the side of the road, propped up by someone, claiming that Gurjar was killed by people belonging to the ‘Muslim’ community. Few posts also claimed that “Delhi Police stood watching” the incident. Newschecker found the claims to be misleading. Read the full fact check here.
Video Of Zelensky Performing In Front Of Putin Is Manipulated
A video of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky performing on stage while Russian President Putin is seen sitting in the audience and applauding at the performance is going viral on social media, claiming to be footage from early 2000s. In the video, Zelensky seems to be performing a stand up act which is met by applause from the audience including Vladimir Putin. Newschecker analysed the video and found it to be manipulated. Read the full fact check here.
Viral Video Of Man Who Allegedly Threatened Karnataka Judge Over Hijab Row Verdict Is False
A video of a man with his face covered, and in chains, limping as he is escorted by police, is going viral on social media, claiming to show the man who gave death threats to Karnataka High Court Judges over the Hijab verdict. The claim was found to be false. Read the full fact check here.
If you would like us to fact check a claim, give feedback or lodge a complaint, WhatsApp us at 9999499044 or email us at checkthis@newschecker.in. You can also visit the Contact Us page and fill the form.
Authors
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.
