From communally charged claims to alleged unearthing of “big time conspiracies,” misinformation trailed the Odisha train tragedy this week. A false post claiming that Station Master “Sharif” has been on the run since the triple train collision spread like wildfire online, and a 2018 video from Karnataka of a child placing stones on tracks was shared out of context to show a “war against government” ahead of the 2024 polls. From the media spreading false news of Sweden declaring sex as a sport to a false circular attributed to the Indian Nursing Council, here are our top fact checks from the week.
‘False Information To Tarnish Sweden’, Says Country’s Top Sports Body On Reports Of Sweden Declaring Sex As A Sport
Several Indian media outlets, including the Times of India, Hindustan Times, News18, India Today, recently published reports that stated that Sweden has declared sex as a sport and the first-ever sex competition is scheduled to take place this week. Newschecker found the reports to be false. The Swedish Sports Federation had rejected the application to classify sex as a sport. Read more here.
Station Master ‘Sharif’ Absconding Since Odisha Train Accident? No, False Claim Viral Post Train Mishap
In the wake of the Odisha train tragedy, several social media users have claimed “station master Sharif, who was responsible and posted where the Koramondal (Coromandel) Express collided, is missing.” Newschecker found the claim to be false. No staff or station master named...
A fake BBC News report that falsely accuses Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of displaying a stolen painting has been circulating on X since April 21. The footage appears to show the Ukraini...