Category Misconceptions

Posts mischaracterize photo of BBC journalist during attack in Ukraine

Screenshots of a BBC news report shared on social media purport to show a journalist exaggerating the danger of a Russian attack on Irpin, Ukraine. This is misleading; the reporter has refuted the claim, and the posts ignore the shelling that took place in the area where the footage was filmed.

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No, this Ukrainian general isn’t wearing a bracelet with a swastika on it

Did the commander-in-chief of Ukraine's armed forces publish a photo of himself wearing a bracelet with a swastika on it? That"s what some Russian media outlets and pro-Russian social media accounts have been reporting since October 9, 2022. While the photo is authentic, the compression of the image and the poor resolution quality make it possible to mistake the symbol on his bracelet for the Nazi cross. In reality, however, it is a Celtic knot.

Read MoreNo, this Ukrainian general isn’t wearing a bracelet with a swastika on it

We take a look at the Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief ‘s ‘swastika’ bracelet – France 24

General Valery Zaluzhny, Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's armed forces, recently posted a photo of himself on Twitter allegedly wearing a bracelet with a swastika. In fact, what appears to be a swastika in the photo, is actually a Viking symbol. We tell you more in this edition of Truth or Fake.

Read MoreWe take a look at the Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief ‘s ‘swastika’ bracelet – France 24

Image shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visiting Russia in 2019, not 2022

An image of Kim Jong Un has been shared repeatedly in posts that claim the North Korean leader visited Moscow as Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a speech in September 2022. Some posts written in Korean also claim South Korean media ignored Kim's visit. But the claim -- which circulated as Russia pushed on with its war in neighbouring Ukraine -- is false. The posts show Kim's visit to the Russian port city of Vladivostok in April 2019 for a summit with Putin.

Read MoreImage shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visiting Russia in 2019, not 2022

No, BBC journalist Jeremy Bowen did not ‘stage’ a Ukraine report – Truth or Fake

A screenshot from a BBC report is circulating heavily on social media, with claims that the reporter is pretending to be on the frontlines whilst a woman stands casually in the background with a shopping bag. What's true and what's fake? We explain the details in this edition of Truth or Fake with Vedika Bahl.

Read MoreNo, BBC journalist Jeremy Bowen did not ‘stage’ a Ukraine report – Truth or Fake

Despite claims, Jackson, Mississippi, did get funding for its infrastructure. But it’s not a fix-all

When the Instagram post was shared, Congress was considering legislation that included $20 million in funding for Jackson, Mississippi's water infrastructure. The legislation passed Sept. 30.

Much more funding will be needed to completely address the problems in Jackson.

Our ruling
An Instagram post says Ukraine got $12 billion more in funding but Jackson, Mississippi, has not received any.

At the time the Instagram post was shared, Congress was considering legislation to provide money to both Ukraine and Jackson. The legislation passed Sept. 30 and was signed into law the same day, allocating $20 million to Jackson for its infrastructure.

Much more funding will be needed to fully address the city's problems. But though the city might not have the money in hand yet because the funding was just approved, it's misleading to say the city was completely ignored.

The claim contains an element of truth but ignores critical facts that would give a different impression. We rate it Mostly False.

Read MoreDespite claims, Jackson, Mississippi, did get funding for its infrastructure. But it’s not a fix-all

Video shows bombing in Syria in 2021, not Russian suicide bomber opposed to military call-up

After Moscow announced in September 2022 that it would call up some 300,000 reservists to fight in Ukraine, a video was viewed tens of thousands of times in social media posts that claim it shows a suicide bombing in Russia that targeted a recruitment officer. The claim, however, is false. While there were protests against the "partial" mobilisation in Russia, this video has circulated since at least 2021 in reports about a bombing in Syria.

Read MoreVideo shows bombing in Syria in 2021, not Russian suicide bomber opposed to military call-up