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.
The recent clashes between the Delhi police and protestling wrestlers evoked strong social media reactions, with images from the incident taking social media by storm. In this backdrop, an edited photo of wrestlers Vinesh and Sangeeta Phogat smiling during detention by Delhi police went viral. Among the many posts shared in relation to the incident, a two-year-old image of a man being pinned down during the farmers’ protest was also falsely shared to show wrestler Sakshi Malik trampled upon by a Delhi cop. From misinformation around Rahul Gandhi’s visit to the US to false claims about IPL 2023, here’s what we debunked this week
Edited Photo Of Vinesh Phogat, Sangeeta Phogat Smiling During Detention By Delhi Police Goes Viral
A photo purportedly showing wrestlers Vinesh Phogat and Sangeeta Phogat smiling inside a police vehicle after being detained has gone viral, evoking reactions of surprise across social media, with many users citing it as evidence to call the protest ‘staged’ for political purposes. Newschecker found the claim to be untrue. The viral photograph has been edited using an app. Read more here.
Photo From Farmers’ Protest Shared as Delhi Police Trampling Olympic Medalist Sakshi Malik’s Face
Following the recent clashes between Delhi police and protesting wrestlers, an image allegedly showing wrestler Sakshi Malik being trampled upon by a cop is going viral on social media platforms. Newschecker found that the photograph is over two-year-old, and relates to the farmers’ protest. The person whose face was seen under the cop’s boot is a man, not a woman. Read more here.
Viral Tweet By President Joe Biden On Rahul Gandhi’s US Visit Is Fabricated
An alleged screengrab of a tweet showing US President Biden’s jeering remarks on Rahul Gandhi’s recent visit to the States is being widely shared on social media platforms. It reads, “We welcome Rahul Gandhi to the USA. But just because India has become free from open defecation under the leadership of Narendra Modi, it doesn’t mean that you can come to my country to sh*t in open whenever you want.” Newschecker found the viral tweet to be fabricated. Read more here.
‘Sea Of Yellow’ Image Is Of 2010 Ethiopia Run, Not CSK Fans Outside Narendra Modi Stadium
An image claiming to show a massive crowd ofChennai Super Kings supporters outside the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, ahead of the Indian Premier League 2023 final match has been widely shared on social media platforms. Newschecker’s investigation found the claim to be untrue. The viral image actually dates back to 2010, and shows a run in Ethiopia. Read more here.
Yogendra Yadav’s Real Identity Is Salim? Here’s The Truth Behind Viral Video
Nearly a minute long video of activist Yogendra Yadav saying that he is known to his family and childhood friends as “Salim”, has surfaced on social media platforms, with many users accusing the activist of fooling people about his identity. The text overlay on the footage reads, “How Salim Became Yogendra Yadav.” Newschecker found that the video was clipped from a longer interview given by Yadav, and is being shared out of context. 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.
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.
