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.
This week saw a stream of misinformation around the Congress’ win in the recently concluded Karnataka state polls. While a fabricated “tweet” was shared to claim that the Pakistan PM congratulated “people of Karnataka” for electing the Congress, a digitally created image went viral to show Virat Kohli hailing Rahul Gandhi over the state polls victory. From false “news” of George Soros’ death to fabricated “alert” against a deadly virus in P-500 Paracetamol pills, here are our top fact checks from the week:
No, Pak PM Did Not Congratulate Karnataka For Electing Congress In Assembly Polls
A screengrab of an alleged “tweet” by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulating the “people of Karnataka” for electing Congress in the Karnataka Assembly elections is being widely shared online. Newschecker’s investigation revealed that the Pakistan Prime Minister Sharif did not make any such tweet congratulating Karnataka over the Congress’ win. The viral screengrab is fabricated. Read more here.
Did Virat Kohli Hail Rahul Gandhi In Instagram Story After Karnataka Polls? Here’s What We Found About Viral Screenshot
A purported screenshot of Indian cricketer Virat Kohli’s Instagram story, praising Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, went viral amid the results of the Karnataka Assembly elections on May 13, where the Congress registered a thumping comeback victory, winning 136 of the 224 seats. Newschecker found that Kohli did not post any such story, and that the viral screenshot was digitally created. Read more here.
George Soros Is Alive, Viral Post Claiming He Died Of Heart Attack Is Fabricated
The “news” of alleged demise of billionaire and philanthropist George Soros has been flooding the social media platforms. Several social media users claimed that Soros had died of a heart attack at the age of 92. Newschecker found the claim to be untrue. George Soros is alive, and the “news” about his demise is fabricated and baseless. Read more here.
Do P-500 Paracetamol Pills Contain Fatal Machupo Virus? Here’s The Truth Behind Viral Alert
Several social media users are circulating what appears to be an advisory against Paracetamol tablets, specifically P-500, urging recipients to forward the message to family members. According to the viral forward, the “new, very white and shiny” tablets contain the “Machupo virus” that has a high mortality rate. Newschecker found that the viral “alert” warning against a fatal Machupo virus being found in Paracetamol (P-500) tablets is fabricated. Read more here.
Did Raghav Chadha and Parineeti Chopra Study Together At London School Of Economics?
Multiple social media users and news outlets claimed that AAP leader Raghav Chadha and actor Parineeti Chopra, who recently got engaged, studied together at the London School of Economics. Newschecker found the claim to be false. Contrary to the viral claims, Parineeti Chopra’s team confirmed to us that the actor did not study at the London School of Economics. 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.
