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.
The week saw a multitude of misinformation on a variety of issues, ranging from Karnataka polls to Manipur violence and wrestlers’ protests. From a gaming video being falsely shared to show visuals of recent violence in Manipur to an old clip of WFI Chief slapping a male wrestler being linked to ongoing wrestlers’ protests, here’s what we debunked this week
Karnataka Elections: ‘NDTV Graphic’ Predicting Huge Win For Congress Found To Be Fake
Several social media users are circulating a graphic of several “opinion polls” purportedly compiled by NDTV, that shows that the Congress is winning with a clear majority in the upcoming Karnataka Assembly elections. Newschecker found the viral NDTV graphic predicting a huge win for Congress in Karnataka polls to be fabricated. The news outlet also clarified that the viral graphic was fake. Read more here.
2020 Video Uploaded By Gamer Falsely Linked To Manipur Violence
A video showing some people opening heavy fire with sophisticated weapons is doing the rounds on social media with users linking it to the recent violence in Manipur. According to one user, the video shows members of the Kuki community firing rounds at Meiteis. Newcshecker found that the viral clip shared to show the recent “clash between Kukis and Meiteis in Manipur” was actually uploaded by a PC gamer in 2020. Read more here.
Old Video Of Brij Bhushan Singh Slapping Wrestler Falsely Linked To Recent Wrestlers Protest
A video claiming to show Wrestling Federation of India Chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh slapping a male wrestler who came “seeking justice” is going viral on social media platforms amid the ongoing Wrestlers’ protest. Newschecker found that an old and unrelated video of Brij Bhushan Singh slapping a wrestler on stage has been shared on social media in the current context of protests against the WFI coach. Read more here.
BJP & Amit Shah Accused of Arrogance For “Disrespecting” Basavanna; Here’s The Truth Behind Viral Video
Ahead of the Karnataka polls, a viral video purportedly shows Amit Shah flinging a garland at a statue of Lord Basaveshwara (Basavanna), and missing it, evoking criticism from social media users for the “disrespectful” gesture towards the 12th century social reformer and Lingayat icon. Newschecker found that Shah’s garland flinging incident at a Basavanna statue is real, but it is not recent. The video actually dates back to 2018. Read more here.
MH370 Found Under The Ocean? No, Viral Photo Does Not Show Malaysia Airlines Aircraft
A photograph of an aeroplane underwater is going viral on social media platforms with users linking it to the Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 that went missing in March 2014. Several social media users shared the photograph as evidence to assert that the MH370 “has been found under the ocean with no human skeleton…” Newschecker found the claims to be untrue. 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.
