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PeakMetrics / Fact Checks

Politics & government fact checks

Explore claims publishers have checked about politics & government. Read their original ratings and follow the evidence.

12,754 published reviews in this topic

FACTLYPolitics & government

Image showing hundreds of tents in an open area by farmers protesting against the new farm legislation

Publisher’s rating: FALSE

The claim identifies an aerial image of hundreds of tents as a campsite set up by farmers at Singhu border during protests against new farm legislation. FACTLY’s review says the image instead depicts tents at the 2013 Kumbh Mela in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), and concludes it is unrelated to the farmers’ protest. The review also notes that farmers did have tents at Singhu border, but says the particular image does not show them. To trace the image, the review reports that a reverse-image search found a blog carrying the same photograph. It says the blog identified it as a view of the Maha Kumbh Mela at Prayagraj in 2013, and that the image’s EXIF information described it as “Kumbh Mela 2013” and gave a capture date of 08 February 2013. The review then describes finding a similar Alamy stock photograph from a different angle and time, with a caption identifying tents during the 2013 Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. These reported image matches and provenance details place the scene at the 2013 festival, not at the later farmers’ protest. The misleading element is therefore the image’s attribution to Singhu border, rather than the general fact that farmers protesting the legislation had tents there.

Vishvas NewsPolitics & government

பாஜக கட்சி ஆட்சிக்கு வந்தால் வேளாண் சட்டங்களை ரத்து செய்வோம் என்று தமிழகத்தின் மாநில பாஜக தலைவர் எல் முருகன் கூறியதாக புதியதலைமுறையின் பெயரில் பகிரப்படும் ஒரு புகைப்படம் கூறுகிறது.

Publisher’s rating: FALSE

The claim concerns a New Generation (Puthiya Thalaimurai) news-style image attributed to Tamil Nadu BJP leader L. Murugan. It says that if the BJP came to power, the farm laws would be repealed. Vishvas News examined that specific image and attribution, and concluded the image had been altered and shared with a false claim. Its review states: “இந்தப் புகைப்படம் திருத்தப்பட்டு தவறான கூற்றுடன் பகிரப்பட்டு வருகிறது.” To check the claim, Vishvas News looked for a genuine statement by Murugan supporting it. The review describes recent reporting about his remarks at a party meeting: he accused the DMK’s M. K. Stalin of spreading misinformation about the farm laws and urged farmers to recognize what he called Stalin’s “double game.” Vishvas says it could not find an authentic statement supporting the viral claim: “இந்த வைரல் கூற்றை உறுதிப்படுத்தும் எந்த உண்மையான அறிக்கையையும் எங்களால் காண முடியவில்லை.” The review also reports that its investigators contacted Manoj Prabhakar, head of Puthiya Thalaimurai’s online team. Prabhakar denied that the outlet had published such a report and said the image was edited: “இது தவறானது. இதுபோன்ற எந்த செய்தியையும் நாங்கள் வெளியிடவில்லை. இந்த புகைப்படம் திருத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது,” என்று கூறினார். Together, the absence of a supporting genuine statement and the attributed outlet representative’s denial directly undermine the image’s claim and provenance.

FACTLYPolitics & government

Photo of PM Narendra Modi holding the new population control legislation file

Publisher’s rating: FALSE

The claim concerns a photo circulated as showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi holding a file for a new population-control law in 2021. The review examined the image in the post and reports that its cover had been altered: the circulating version showed the words “जनसंख्या नियंत्रण कानून 2021,” while the original image showed a file with no text on its cover. The review also says there was no authentic information confirming that a new population-control law was being planned for 2021. (S1: “In the photo, we can see ‘जनसंख्या नियंत्रण कानून 2021’ written on the file held by PM Modi.”; “In the original image, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen holding a file without any text on the cover.”; “There is no authentic information to confirm the speculation of a new population control legislation in 2021.”) To check the image’s provenance, the review describes conducting a reverse image search, which led to the original photo on Modi’s official social-media accounts. It says Modi shared the image on Facebook and Instagram on 26 December 2020, describing it as a picture of himself leaving for a programme to meet people in Jammu and Kashmir. The review identifies that programme as the launch of the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Sehat scheme in Jammu and Kashmir, held by video conference that day. (S1: “On reverse image search of the photo shared in the post, we found the original image on the official social media handles of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”; “PM Modi shared this photo on his Facebook and Instagram pages on ‘26 December 2020’.”; “In the description of the photo, PM Modi mentioned it as the picture of him while leaving for a programme to meet the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”; “On 26 December 2020, Narendra Modi launched Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Sehat scheme in Jammu and Kashmir through video conference.”) Thus, the review’s comparison distinguishes the edited image from the earlier official photo: the file was present in the original, but the legislation wording was not. It further separates the image evidence from the speculation about legislation, noting that the speculation followed demands by some BJP MPs in 2020 but was not authenticated by the evidence described. (S1: “In the original photo, Prime Minister was seen holding a green file with no text the cover page.”; “Few news websites published articles speculating about a population control legislation when few BJP MPs demanded the same in 2020.”; “But, there is no authentic information to confirm this speculation of a new population control legislation.”)

Demagog.czPolitics & government

I v Ústí byla kolébka Pirátů a byly tam první celostátní pirátské akce.

Publisher’s rating: Pravda

The statement concerns the Czech Pirate Party’s early presence in Ústí nad Labem and whether the city hosted early nationwide party events. The review traces the party’s electoral record and conference activity there, while distinguishing those facts from its initial parliamentary election campaign. It says the party was founded on 17 June 2009 and first fielded candidates in parliamentary elections in May 2010, but that the review could not find evidence that Ústí had a significant role in connection with those elections. The strongest evidence for Ústí’s early importance comes from the municipal elections in October 2010. The review reports that the Pirates received more than 2% of votes in Ústí, compared with less than 1% in Prague, Brno, Ostrava and Plzeň, other large cities where they ran. It also reports that one of the party’s first nationwide conferences, PIRATECON, took place in Ústí at the beginning of 2011. Those findings support the claim about early electoral success and nationwide party activity, while the caveat about the parliamentary elections limits what “cradle” can mean.

Demagog.czPolitics & government

Téma (koalice se STAN, pozn. Demagog.cz) se prakticky probírá už sedmý měsíc.

Publisher’s rating: Pravda

The claim is about the timing of discussion within the Czech Pirate Party of a possible coalition with STAN for the 2021 parliamentary election. The review traces that discussion to July 2020: an online party-forum poll asked members whether they would support an electoral coalition, and later that month members tasked the party leadership with preparing an analysis of possible cooperation. The analysis was presented in October, after which the membership authorized negotiations with STAN. [S1: “Na začátku července 2020 proběhla na fóru Pirátské strany anketa, zda by členové podpořili vznik volební koalice se STAN. Na konci července pak členové strany pověřili předsednictvo, aby vypracovalo analýzu možné předvolební spolupráce. Tuto analýzu předsednictvo představilo v říjnu 2020.”] The review’s chronology continues from negotiations to a coalition agreement presented shortly before Christmas. STAN approved the agreement on January 7, 2021; the Pirate Party’s vote began January 8 and was scheduled to close on January 12. Since January 2021 was the seventh month after the discussion began in July 2020, the review concludes that the party had been dealing with the coalition topic for seven months. This supports the claim as framed: it concerns the duration of the party’s discussion, not seven months of completed formal negotiations. [S1: “Výsledkem vyjednávání je koaliční smlouva, kterou Piráti společně se STAN představili těsně před Vánoci. Smlouvu musí nyní schválit členové obou uskupení. Hnutí STAN již o smlouvě hlasovalo 7. ledna 2021 a schválilo ji 92 % hlasů. Hlasování Pirátů začalo 8. ledna, konec byl určen na 12. ledna 2021 v 8:00.”]

SWR3 Faktencheck.dePolitics & government

„Lasst euch nicht täuschen. Trump-Unterstützer sind friedlich. Es war die Antifa, die in den letzten Monaten die Gewalt in unseren Städten angestiftet hat.“ Lin Wood auf Twitter

Publisher’s rating: Dass sich unter den Demonstranten am gestrigen Abend auch Teile der Antifa-Bewegung befanden, kann natürlich nicht ganz ausgeschlossen werden – schließlich sind Identität und politische Ausrichtung eines jeden einzelnen Teilnehmers nicht bekannt. Auf den Aufnahmen sind jedoch massenhaft Trump-Fahnen und die bekannten Mützen der Trump-Anhänger mit der Aufschrift Make America Great Again zu sehen. Ein Zusammenschluss von Antifa und rechtsextremen Trump-Fans beim Sturm auf den US-Kongress scheint realitätsfern. Das Rechtsextreme mit in das US-Kapitol eingedrungen sind, beweisen die unterschiedlichen Bilder weiter oben im Artikel, auf denen rechtsextreme Symbole und Kleidung zu sehen sind. Für die Teilnahme der Antifa gibt es diese Beweise nicht.

FACTLYPolitics & government

PM Narendra Modi credited first Metro service in the country to Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Publisher’s rating: FALSE

The claim concerns a speech by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the inauguration of driverless train operations on Delhi Metro’s Magenta line. The review finds that Modi credited Vajpayee with helping the first metro in Delhi become operational, rather than crediting him with the first metro service in the country. The distinction is between a Delhi-specific service and India’s first metro service overall. To check the wording and context, the review says it located Modi’s speech and listened to the relevant passage, identified at 16:16 in a video. It also consulted the Press Information Bureau’s English rendering of the speech. The review reports that both supported the Delhi-specific interpretation: Modi referred to Delhi Metro rail services when crediting Vajpayee. The review also describes a correction by ANI. Its initial post attributed a claim about the first metro rail services in India to Modi; ANI later clarified that he had referred to the first metro in Delhi. The review contrasts this with its account that Kolkata’s first metro service began operations on 24 October 1984, following a foundation-stone ceremony in 1972. On the evidence presented, the viral claim broadened Modi’s statement beyond the city he was discussing.

FACTLYPolitics & government

UK PM Boris Johnson has cancelled his Republic Day visit to India due to the current farmers’ protests in the country.

Publisher’s rating: FALSE

The claim concerns Boris Johnson’s planned visit to India as the Chief Guest at the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations. It alleges that he cancelled because of farmers’ protests. The review distinguishes the fact of the cancellation from the claimed reason: it reports that the visit was cancelled, but says the stated cause was the COVID-19 situation in the UK, not the protests in India. [S1: “UK PM Boris Johnson’s Republic Day visit to India has been cancelled due to the current COVID-19 situation in the UK; not due to the current farmers’ protests in India.”] To check the explanation, the review says it searched for reports about Johnson cancelling the visit and found news agencies attributing it to the UK’s COVID-19 situation. It also points to a press release about a telephone conversation between Johnson and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In that release, Johnson thanked India for the invitation but said he could not attend “in view of the changed COVID-19 context prevailing in the UK,” and expressed interest in visiting India later. [S1: “Multiple news agencies have reported that UK PM Boris Johnson has cancelled his visit due to the current COVID-19 situation in the UK.”] [S1: “Prime Minister Johnson reiterated his thanks for India’s invitation for him as the Chief Guest of the forthcoming Republic Day celebrations, but regretted his inability to attend in view of the changed COVID-19 context prevailing in the UK. He reiterated his keenness to visit India in the near future”] The key distinction is therefore between a cancellation and the reason asserted for it. The review’s cited government statement directly links Johnson’s inability to attend to the changed COVID-19 context in the UK; it does not attribute it to Indian farmers’ protests. The review also notes the UK’s nationwide lockdown, while its quoted statement supplies the direct explanation for the visit cancellation. [S1: “UK PM Boris Johnson has also announced a nationwide lockdown.”] [S1: “So, the visit was not cancelled due to the current farmers’ protests in India.”]