Deepak Adhikari is a freelance journalist based in Kathmandu, Nepal. He was the editor of Nepal Check, a fact-checking platform in Nepal. From March 2020 to July 2022, he was the editor of South Asia Check, Nepal's pioneering fact-checking outlet. 

His areas of work include Nepal's politics, ...

TikTok Post Claiming Deputy Mayor’s Support for Lamichhane Is Misleading

01 May 2024  |  nepalcheck.org  |  English  |  Social Media Misinformation

A TikTok video falsely claims that Kathmandu's deputy mayor, Sunita Dangol, supported Deputy Prime Minister Rabi Lamichhane amidst calls for his resignation over alleged misappropriation of funds. The video misrepresents Dangol's speech at a road safety event, where she did not express support for Lamichhane. The misleading post was debunked through a digital investigation by Nepal Check.

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Social Media Misinformation Political Allegations

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Adnan Bhat is a journalist based in New Delhi, India.

'Cheapfakes', not deepfakes, spread election lies in India

03 Jun 2024  |  www.context.news  |  English  |  Misinformation

During India's election, misleading videos known as 'cheapfakes' have been more prevalent than AI-driven deepfakes, raising concerns about misinformation. Fact-checkers highlight that most falsified content is created using simple editing techniques rather than AI. Meta's updated guidelines to label misinformation have been criticized for their ineffectiveness, with many videos not correctly labeled. Despite efforts by platforms like Meta and X to combat misinformation, doctored videos continue to spread, particularly on messaging apps like WhatsApp. The focus on deepfakes may have diverted attention from the broader threat of misinformation.

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Social Media Misinformation Indian Elections

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Blair is a multimedia freelance journalist and emergency and critical care doctor based in Toronto, Canada.  He received his journalism training at the Munk School of Global Affairs and his research training at the Institute for Medical Sciences, both at U of Toronto. His medical training was at ...

The Misinfodemic: Combating the Deadly Spread of COVID-19 Misinformation

05 Apr 2023  |  The Globe and Mail  |  English  |  Misinformation

Blair Bigham discusses the dangers of misinformation in healthcare, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlights studies showing that falsehoods spread faster than the truth on social media and that exposure to misinformation reduces the likelihood of people getting vaccinated. Bigham emphasizes the societal costs of misinformation, including economic damage, social disruption, and loss of life. He advocates for a whole-of-society effort to combat misinformation, including prebunking strategies and social media companies acting as public-health agencies to monitor and control the spread of false information. He also refutes the argument that controlling misinformation infringes on freedom of expression, stating that there is no right to spread harmful falsehoods on private platforms.

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Social Media Misinformation Healthcare COVID-19 Pandemic Vaccination

Chloe Burcham is a beauty, health and wellness journalist based in London, United Kingdom. She has written for titles such as Stylist Magazine, Women's Health, BYRDIE, Grazia, LOOK, Who What Wear, Brides, Cosmopolitan.co.uk, Refinery 29, ELLE.co.uk, InStyle, Good Housekeeping and Sheer Luxe.

80% of people believe the skincare industry is 'rife with misinformation'

01 Oct 2023  |  www.womenshealthmag.com  |  English  |  Misinformation

A report by Simple reveals that 80% of people believe the skincare industry is rife with misinformation, with 79% feeling overwhelmed and 84% of those with sensitive skin feeling confused. The rise of social media has contributed to this, with many turning to platforms like TikTok for advice, despite concerns about the trustworthiness of information. Simple aims to combat this by collaborating with influencers who share their values and providing concise, honest skincare information.

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Social Media Misinformation Skincare

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Stephanie Burnett is a senior editor and newsroom manager.

Stephanie has a master’s degree from the Journalism and Media Studies Centre at the University of Hong Kong.

Fake US election-related accounts proliferating on X, study says

24 May 2024  |  whbl.com  |  English  |  Social Media

A study by Cyabra reveals a significant increase in fake accounts on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, related to the U.S. presidential election. The analysis found that 15% of accounts praising Donald Trump and 7% praising Joe Biden are fake. The fake pro-Trump accounts are part of a coordinated campaign, while the pro-Biden accounts are not. The report highlights the ongoing issue of misinformation on social media platforms, with X under scrutiny for its handling of fake accounts. Elon Musk, who took over X in 2022, has initiated efforts to combat bots and spammers.

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Misinformation Social Media US Presidential Election

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Center

Political View

Journaliste, conteuse et communicatrice ayant six ans d'expertise dans les multimédias, montages videos et rédaction web. Canadienne en France. Travaillons ensembles pour créer une histoire captivante pour vos clients.

A clear link found between recent violence in the UK and social media posts

23 Oct 2024  |  tr.euronews.com  |  Turkish  |  Social Media

A report by Ofcom reveals a clear link between social media posts and street violence during the Southport protests in the UK. Ofcom Chair Melanie Dawes highlighted the rapid spread of misinformation following a stabbing incident involving three children. Despite efforts by some companies to limit hateful content, it proliferated, with high-profile accounts spreading divisive narratives. The incident involved false claims about Axel Rudakubana, a Rwandan-born individual, which fueled racial and religious hatred. Ofcom's findings underscore the need for improved crisis response protocols on social media platforms, as the UK prepares to implement new online safety regulations.

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Misinformation Social Media Violence

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Political View

Mamadou Diop is a journalist based in Dakar, Senegal.

Social Networks: The Senegalese President Warns About Misconduct

18 May 2023  |  CIOMAG  |  French  |  Social Media

The Senegalese President Macky Sall has called for an end to the spread of hate and misinformation on social media, emphasizing the need for digital tools to strengthen social bonds rather than disseminate false news. During the national digital week, awards were given for innovation, with Seydni Ndao's startup Caytu winning the President's Innovation Award for its work in robotics and automatic delivery. The special youth prize went to Aziz Mayoro Diop's telemedicine startup Sen Vital, and the special women's prize was awarded to Ndeye Awa Sall's startup Diap ci.

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Misinformation Social Media Digital Transformation

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Freelance journalist: science, culture, technology, travel, education & personal essays for National Geographic, SmithsonianMag, Aeon, GOOD, Discover, BBC Wildlife, Psychologies, Huck, Matador Network and more. Digital media professional: video, photography and web. I am location independent and ...

Warnings!

31 Oct 2024  |  cacm.acm.org  |  English  |  Misinformation

The article discusses the pervasive influence of artificial intelligence and recommendation algorithms in social media, highlighting the challenges posed by misinformation and disinformation. It emphasizes the need for critical thinking and reliable information sources, advocating for identity, provenance, and accountability in the digital space. The author reflects on the balance between privacy and the potential harms of anonymity, suggesting that technical solutions like digital signatures could aid in assessing information provenance.

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Social Media Misinformation Artificial Intelligence

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Peter Guest is a writer, editor, producer and photographer, based in Southeast Asia. His work has appeared in Nikkei Asian Review, the Atlantic, Newsweek, the Financial Times, Wired, the Guardian, the Wall Street Journal and others. He has reported from more than 40 countries across five continents,...

The UK’s problematic Online Safety Act is now law

28 Oct 2023  |  Ars Technica  |  English  |  Social Media

The article discusses the UK's Online Safety Bill, which has recently received royal assent and become law. Initially proposed when Jeremy Wright was in office, the bill aimed to regulate 'legal but harmful' content on the internet, such as disinformation and material encouraging self-harm. The bill has evolved from its original form, with some principles being watered down and new controversial requirements added, such as scanning users' messages for illegal content. The enforcement of the act will be handled by Ofcom, with significant penalties for non-compliance. The article also compares the UK's legislation with the European Union's Digital Services Act and touches on the challenges of regulating mis- and disinformation during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Misinformation Social Media Internet Regulation Online Safety Bill Digital Services Act Free Speech Tech Company Regulation Child Online Safety Public Health

A Vancouver-based freelance journalist, covering the Iranian community in Canada, as well as topics related to art, culture, and the latest social media trends.

Lottie Limb is a digital reporter for Cambridgeshire Live, based in Cambridge.

She has a strong interest in environmental issues, and has previously written features in a freelance capacity for euronews Living and Ecohustler.

Climate denial is evolving on YouTube, report says, as third of UK teens think crisis is exaggerated

16 Jan 2024  |  www.euronews.com  |  English  |  Social Media

A new report by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) reveals that climate denial content on YouTube is evolving, influencing nearly a third of UK teenagers to believe that climate change is exaggerated. The report criticizes YouTube and its parent company Google for monetizing such content despite policies against it. Researchers note a shift from outright denial of climate change to undermining confidence in climate solutions and science. The report calls for stricter actions from digital platforms to combat misinformation, highlighting the significant impact on young people.

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Misinformation Social Media Climate Change

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Lisa Louis is a freelance journalist based in Paris, France.  She is a native German speaker, but also fluent in French, English, Spanish and Portuguese.  She works for TV, radio and online. 

You can find more info and examples of her work on her website: ****

Unchecked Inauthentic Facebook Activity and the Risk to Papua New Guinea’s Elections

05 Apr 2023  |  www.lowyinstitute.org  |  English  |  Social Media Misinformation

The article discusses the proliferation of fake Facebook accounts and pages claiming to be associated with Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape and other incumbent MPs. With the country's elections approaching and the high usage of Facebook among mobile users in PNG, the presence of these inauthentic accounts poses a risk of misinformation and election interference. The DT Institute and DT Global conducted a study revealing a large number of suspicious accounts, some linked to financial scams and others to politically motivated impersonation. Despite Meta's claims of combating fake accounts, the study suggests that the company's efforts in PNG are insufficient. The article also mentions foreign interference concerns raised by Australia's former defence minister Peter Dutton. The full findings of the study are available through the DT Institute.

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Social Media Misinformation Election Interference Digital Literacy Cyber Safety Political Campaigns

Fiston Mahamba is a journalist based in Beni, Congo, The Democratic Republic of the.

This photo is of a skyscraper construction site using bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong, not Nigeria

22 Dec 2023  |  congocheck.net  |  French  |  Misinformation

A photo of a skyscraper being constructed with bamboo scaffolding, believed by some to be in Nigeria, has been identified through reverse image search as being located in Hong Kong. The image has been shared on social media platforms like Facebook and Pinterest, with some users admiring the ingenuity of the construction method. The South China Morning Post has reported that Hong Kong is one of the last places in the world where bamboo is still widely used for scaffolding due to its flexibility, strength, and cost-effectiveness compared to metal alternatives. The article aims to correct the misconception and provide context to the photo, highlighting the historical use of bamboo in Chinese construction and the efficiency of bamboo scaffolding when properly erected.

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Social Media Misinformation

Factual

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Sarah Manavis is a journalist at the New Statesman based in London, United Kingdom.

Misinformation in the Israel-Hamas war is a serious problem

20 Oct 2023  |  www.newstatesman.com  |  English  |  Misinformation

The article discusses the rise of misinformation and apathy on social media in the context of the Israel-Hamas conflict. It criticizes Western social media users for their self-absorbed reactions and the trivialization of serious global crises into mere content. The piece highlights the negative consequences of this behavior, including the spread of misinformation and graphic content, and calls out the misuse of 'self-care' as an excuse to disengage from important world events. The article underscores the importance of facing the reality of such conflicts rather than turning away in apathy.

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Social Media Misinformation Israel-Hamas Conflict

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Left

Political View

George Mavridis is a freelance journalist and writer based in Greece. His work primarily covers tech, innovation, social media, digital communication, and politics. He graduated from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication. Also, he holds an MA in ...

Barack Obama Warns of the Dangers of Artificial Intelligence

02 Jul 2023  |  4imag  |  English  |  Social Media

Former US President Barack Obama discussed the challenges and dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the SNF Nostos Conference in Athens, organized by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation. He highlighted the potential for AI to disrupt jobs, especially routine ones, and the intensifying problem of misinformation, exacerbated by social media. Obama emphasized the need for governments and businesses to be equipped to harness AI's benefits while mitigating its risks, including the call for regulation. He also touched upon the broader challenges of the digital age, such as the impact on democracy and the need to educate youth to discern truth from falsehood. The discussion is part of the broader work of the Obama Presidential Center's Democracy In Action Lab.

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Misinformation Social Media Artificial Intelligence Democracy Digital Age

I am a Social Communicator - Journalist, among other things as: photographer and chef.
My journalistic editorial line has a strong attraction to the literary side (investigation) and the opinionated side (reviews, reports and columns), with themes related to culture, tourism and gastronomy.
...

Fact Check: Did the newspaper 'O Jogo' publish an article claiming that the Afghan responsible for the attack at the Ismaili Center is a supporter of Benfica?

29 Mar 2023  |  Observador  |  Portuguese  |  Social Media Misinformation

Social media posts have been circulating a screenshot of an alleged article from the sports newspaper 'O Jogo' claiming that the Afghan responsible for the attack at the Ismaili Center in Lisbon was a supporter of Benfica and labeled the attacker as a 'terrorist.' However, this image is a result of digital manipulation. 'O Jogo' did not publish any article confirming the veracity of the claim. The possibility of terrorism was dismissed by the director of the Judicial Police, who suggested the attack might have been motivated by a 'psychotic episode,' pending clinical analysis. The Observador, in partnership with Facebook for fact-checking, contacted 'O Jogo,' which declined to comment on the matter.

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Social Media Misinformation Fact Checking

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Sammy Mupfuni is a journalist, fact-checker and fix based in Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo. For more than eight years in the field of visual audio press, he started in web journalism four years ago. He works as a freelance journalist in several international news agencies. In the ...

False, Congolese justice did not require a marriage certificate from the couple before entering the hotel room

15 Jun 2024  |  congocheck.net  |  French  |  Misinformation

A viral claim on social media suggested that the Congolese justice system requires couples to present a marriage certificate before entering hotel rooms. Congo Check investigated the claim, contacting magistrate Fazili Mihigo, who confirmed the information is false. The investigation included checking the Congolese penal code and contacting the national broadcaster RTNC, which did not report such a requirement. The article concludes that the claim is misinformation, with no legal basis or government directive supporting it.

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Social Media Misinformation

Factual

Factuality Scale

RISHI RAJ is a journalist based in New Delhi, India. A drop out student BJMC 2ND YEAR. very inspire to photojournalism.

Mahabharat and deepfakes: Misinformation causes instant harm so corrective action should also be immediate

05 Oct 2023  |  Financialexpress  |  English  |  Misinformation

The article draws parallels between a story from the Mahabharat and the modern issue of misinformation, particularly through deepfakes on social media. It highlights the government's concern over the rapid spread of deepfakes and the current 36-hour window for social media platforms to remove flagged content. The author argues for a more immediate response, suggesting a two-hour window to mitigate harm. The piece also touches on the upcoming Digital India Act and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act as steps towards addressing these challenges.

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Social Media Misinformation Deepfakes Government Policy

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Center

Political View

Abbie Richards is a content creator based in Wageningen, Netherlands. She creates science communication content focused on the climate, misinformation, and conspiracies.

National Rape Day hoax goes viral on TikTok for second time

24 Apr 2023  |  www.mediamatters.org  |  English  |  Social Media

The 'National Rape Day' hoax, which first went viral on TikTok in April 2021, has resurfaced on the platform in 2023. The hoax, which falsely claims that large groups of men plan to commit mass sexual assaults on April 24, has caused widespread panic and misinformation. TikTok's recommendation algorithm has been criticized for its role in spreading the hoax, which capitalizes on legitimate fears of sexual violence and perpetuates harmful myths. The misinformation has led to real-world consequences, including an 11-year-old bringing knives to school for protection. Despite the lack of evidence supporting the hoax, it continues to gain traction on social media, with users discussing carrying weapons for self-defense.

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Misinformation Social Media Sexual Violence

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Julian Ryall is a journalist based in Tokyo, Japan.

Fake posts about Japan earthquake put spotlight on nuisance actors, scammers: ‘all about money’

20 Sept 2023  |  South China Morning Post  |  English  |  Misinformation

The article highlights the spread of misinformation following a magnitude-7.6 earthquake in Japan, with scammers and attention-seekers exploiting social media platforms like X for financial gain. Experts criticize the architecture of these platforms for enabling such behavior and point to a broader societal issue of ethical values, exacerbated by recent financial scandals involving Japan's political leaders and the Liberal Democratic Party.

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Social Media Misinformation Natural Disasters

Interpretive

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Center-Left

Political View

Alba Sanchez is a journalist based in Barcelona, Spain.

The evolution of weather news: from maps and videos on social networks to hoaxes and conspiracies

16 Jan 2024  |  El Periódico de Aragón  |  Spanish  |  Social Media

Weather news has evolved significantly, adapting to new communication channels and reaching a younger audience. Rafael Requena from Aemet highlights the public's interest in weather information due to its impact on daily life. Social media has amplified the reach of weather news, but it has also led to the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories, such as chemtrails and climate change denial. Accurate weather predictions are probabilistic and become less reliable over longer periods, which can lead to public frustration. The article underscores the importance of understanding the statistical nature of weather forecasting and the challenges posed by misinformation.

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Misinformation Social Media Weather Climate Change

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Mark Scott is a journalist based in London, United Kingdom.

Global climate change talks for TikTok generation

07 Dec 2023  |  www.politico.eu  |  English  |  Social Media

The ongoing COP28 climate negotiations in the United Arab Emirates are being framed through social media, with a notable focus on TikTok to engage younger generations. The platform's unique approach to political messaging and advocacy, characterized by grainy smartphone footage and viral content, contrasts with traditional social media. The article also discusses the impact of generative AI on misinformation, arguing that its influence is overblown. European Union policymakers are negotiating the AI Act, with significant implications for AI foundation models and surveillance. Key figures like Ursula von der Leyen and Margrethe Vestager are highlighted in the context of these developments.

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Misinformation Social Media Climate Change Generative AI

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Huyogo Simbolon is a journalist based in Bandung, Indonesia.

Interesting Facts About Catkin, Flowers from the Poplar Tree Associated with Worm Rain in China

15 Mar 2023  |  www.liputan6.com  |  Indonesian  |  Social Media

A viral video claiming to show worm rain on cars in Liaoning, China, was circulated on social media. However, it was identified by residents and journalists in China as catkins from poplar trees, a common sight in spring. Catkins are clusters of flowers without petals that hang from trees and are wind-pollinated. The article explains the nature of catkins, their reproductive process, and highlights four tree species with notable catkins, including white willow, holm oak, silver birch, and white poplar, detailing their characteristics and distribution.

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Misinformation Social Media Nature

Sarah Thust studied Journalism and Psychology in Leipzig, Germany. Since her studies she works as freelance journalist within a broad range of media and subjects.

Sarah spent three years in Cambodia as a freelance reporter. She worked for German newspapers & radio stations, English newspapers & ...

Change of Paragraph 184b: Distribution, Acquisition, and Possession of Child Pornography Remains Punishable

17 Dec 2024  |  correctiv.org  |  German  |  Social Media Misinformation

In response to social media misinformation, the article clarifies that the amendment to Paragraph 184b of the German Penal Code does not decriminalize child pornography but allows for more nuanced prosecution. The changes reduce minimum sentences for possession and distribution, enabling courts to dismiss minor cases, such as unintentional possession. The Bundesjustizministerium emphasizes that serious offenses remain heavily penalized. Legal expert Stefan Conen supports the amendment, noting it prevents unjust penalties for those inadvertently involved in child protection efforts.

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Social Media Misinformation Law Child Protection

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