Ankita Kulkarni
Did you come across a recent post circulating on social media that shows a selfie of an advocate with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, claiming that the advocate is the Lucknow court judge hearing a defamation case against Gandhi? If you took that claim at face value, you’ve fallen for a piece of misinformation.
Screenshot of the viral social media post. (Source: Facebook)
The image went viral on social media, accompanied by comments questioning judicial neutrality. However, the claim is false. The man in the photo is Syed Mahmood Hasan, an advocate who was present in the court that day. He took a selfie with Gandhi and uploaded it on Facebook. Speaking to the fact-checking website BOOM, Hasan clarified, “Some people, out of ignorance, started referring to me as a judicial magistrate.” Hasan also explained that he was not one of the legal counsels in Gandhi’s case.
Have you ever come across any such viral post or video online and wondered, “Is this really true?” You're not alone. In the age of social media, it is easy to get confused about what to trust and how to verify. The best way to clarify our doubts is by fact-checking, which isn’t as hard as it sounds, and we are here to help you understand the basics.
In today’s world, we constantly consume content from the internet, and sometimes, incorrect information is shared unintentionally. Other times, it's deliberately spread to mislead or provoke. That’s where fact-checking plays a crucial role. Fact-checking helps us separate fact from fiction and ensures we are not misled by misinformation. So, before we dive into how it works, let’s first understand what misinformation actually means.
What is misinformation?
Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is shared, often unintentionally. It could be a wrong fact, an edited photo, a fabricated quote, or even an old video passed off as recent. Even when there's no intent to deceive, misinformation can still lead to confusion, fear, and even real-world harm. In contrast, Disinformation is a fake or misleading story created and shared deliberately, often by a writer who might have a financial or political motive to do so.
Now, let's look into some of the common types of misinformation.
Types of misinformation
False context- A real photo or video that is genuine but is shared with misleading information or placed in the wrong setting to create a false impression. For example, as shown in the picture below, a post shared a making of a Kannada movie with a false claim that it shows police beating up Ambedkar supporters in public to teach them a lesson for allegedly threatening ‘Manuvadis’ on social media.
However, the video shows behind-the-scenes of a Kannada movie called ‘Deadly Soma 2.’
Fake quotes- These are statements or remarks that are either completely fabricated or inaccurately attributed to someone. This can involve making up a quote that a person never said, or taking a real quote out of context and incorrectly crediting it to someone else to mislead readers. Fake quotes are often used to tarnish reputations, push political agendas, or falsely boost someone's credibility. Even if the words were spoken, assigning them to the wrong person still counts as misinformation.
For instance, a viral video on social media claims to show Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi condemning the makers of the film ‘Udaipur Files’. However, the video is from a Bihar election rally on May 26, 2024, and is unrelated to the film Udaipur Files.
Doctored images/videos- These are photos or videos that have been digitally altered or manipulated to appear real, often with the intention of misleading viewers.
This can include adding or removing elements, changing backgrounds, merging multiple images, or using deepfake technology to make someone appear to say or do something they never did. While the final content may appear convincing, it presents a distorted version of reality and is often used to spread misinformation, create false narratives, or elicit emotional reactions.
For example, multiple videos of well-known personalities such as Infosys founders Narayan Murty and Sudha Murty, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and Union Minister of Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman’s deepfake videos have gone viral, falsely claiming to show that they have endorsed an investment platform that can double an individual’s amount. The clips are fake and generated using Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Satire mistaken as news: A piece of content created as a joke, parody, or satire is misunderstood and shared as if it were a factual news report. Satirical articles or videos are often meant to entertain or critique real issues through exaggeration or humor. However, when people don’t recognize the satirical intent or when the context is removed, such information can be widely circulated as genuine news. This can lead to confusion, spread misinformation, and influence public opinion based on something that was never meant to be taken seriously.
What is fact-checking, and why is it important?
The term 'fact-checking' is self-explanatory; it refers to verifying the accuracy of information and claims. Fact-checking is the process of verifying whether the information is true, false, misleading, or taken out of context.
Misinformation spreads rapidly, especially online, and can cause panic, damage reputations, and even sway elections. Fact-checking plays a crucial role in stopping misinformation and ensuring people receive accurate, reliable information.
People often base important decisions, such as voting or choosing medical treatments, on what they read in the news. That’s why access to trusted, factual reporting is essential. The dangers of misinformation include:
● Public confusion: When people can’t distinguish between real and fake, it leads to a misunderstanding of key social and political issues and erodes trust in legitimate sources.
● Health risks: False information about diseases or treatments, like COVID-19 or cancer, can cause individuals to make dangerous choices about their health.
● Social division: Much fake news is designed to fuel conflict. When opposing groups rely on different “facts,” it deepens polarization and can undermine democratic processes.
How to identify misinformation?
When you encounter something suspicious online, ask yourself these three questions from the Stanford History Education Group:
1. Who is behind the information?
2. What evidence is provided?
3. What do other sources say?
If you can’t confidently answer these questions, it's a warning sign that the information may be misleading or false.
Tips for You: How to Fact-Check in Daily Life
1. Be skeptical of shocking or emotional content: If a headline or video seems too outrageous, scary, or emotional to be true, it might not be. Misinformation often plays on strong emotions to spread quickly. Don’t fall for it without checking.
2. Check the source: Where is the information coming from? Is it a credible news outlet or a random social media page? Look for reputable organizations with a history of accurate reporting. Also, check if the author is real and has a trustworthy background.
3. Do a quick search: Often, a simple Google search can tell you if the same news has been covered by other reliable sources or if it has already been debunked. If no major news outlet is talking about it, that’s a red flag.
4. Follow fact-checking websites: Dedicated fact-checkers help to debunk misinformation. Some trusted ones include:
● India Today Fact Check
● BOOM Live
● Alt News
● Factly
● Snopes and AFP Fact Check
● Reuters
These platforms regularly bust viral hoaxes and false claims.
5. Reverse image search: If you suspect a photo is fake or reused, use tools like Google Reverse Image Search or TinEye. They show where else the image has appeared, helping you check if it’s old or from another place entirely.
6. Pause before you share: When in doubt, don’t forward it. Even well-meaning people can unintentionally spread fake news. Take a moment to verify before hitting "share" — it makes a big difference.
Fact-checking is not just for journalists. In the digital age, every one of us can play a role in stopping misinformation. All it takes is a little curiosity, a bit of doubt, and the habit of checking before believing or sharing. It is also just about asking one simple question: “Is this really true?” In a world full of information — and misinformation — learning to check facts is one of the most important skills we can all develop.