Internet searches on fake news, misinformation and disinformation peak during COVID-19

July 2, 2022

Google Search Trends indicate greater public interest in understanding and reporting misinformation amidst COVID-19 “infodemic” “We’re not just fighting a...

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Video warning against eating bitter gourd with ladyfinger gets 88 million FB views

May 27, 2022

A video claiming that “consuming bitter gourd or white radish after ladyfinger results in food poisoning, skin diseases and even death” is fake news Uploaded...

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No, incense sticks do not ward off Covid-19

February 15, 2021

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A popular YouTube channel claims that smouldering incense sticks can ward off coronavirus and that there is no need to get vaccinated for coronavirus as the...

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No, China does not hold the patent for drug remdesivir

October 2, 2020

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A WhatsApp message claims that the patent for the drug remdesivir is held by China and Dr. Anthony Fauci, Bill Gates will profit from this drug. The claims are...

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Labelling garlic as a cure for cancer is false, misleading

August 21, 2020

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A Facebook page is promoting the use of garlic to kill brain cancer cells but the claim is false and misleading as there is no scientific evidence to prove...

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Trends in Covid-19 misinformation in India

June 12, 2020

Amid an unprecedented global health crisis, health journalists faced a double whammy – one to report effectively on the pandemic and the other to fight the...

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Ratan Tata again hit by fake news, busts viral message

May 7, 2020

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India’s eminent industrialist and chairman of Tata Group Ratan Tata clarifies that a newspaper article titled Ratan Tata’s message in Hindi about COVID-19 is...

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Are DIY hand sanitisers effective?

March 19, 2020

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From TikTok videos to twitter posts and WhatsApp forwards, social media is abuzz with do-it-yourself (DIY) guides on how to make sanitisers at home. However...

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Onion won’t keep the coronavirus at bay

March 17, 2020

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A hotel owner in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, claims that eating small onions can help prevent coronavirus. This is a false claim; eating small or big or onion in...

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Fake news about President Trump suffering from COVID-19 is viral in China

March 16, 2020

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China’s most popular messaging app WeChat is abuzz with fake news that President Donald Trump has coronavirus after he recently came in close contact with the...