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Fake news

Disinformation, misinformation and fake news are often intentionally spread for political purposes via social media platforms.

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Reports & Analysis

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Fact check: The most bizarre fakes of 2024

Fact check: The most bizarre fakes of 2024

From diapers in the election campaign, migrants allegedly eating pets and crickets in chocolate - none of this happened this year. Here are DW's picks of the strangest fakes from this year. 
Digital WorldDecember 23, 202407:53 min
Alice Weidel gesturing during a speech

Fact Check: Far-right AfD supporters spread false survey

Fact Check: Far-right AfD supporters spread false survey

Germany's federal elections are around the corner. Some supporters use false surveys to further their party's cause.
PoliticsDecember 19, 2024
Fighters from the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA)

Fact check: Do these images prove violence in Syria?

Fact check: Do these images prove violence in Syria?

Numerous gruesome images online purport to show violence and murder in Syria. DW reviewed some of them.
PoliticsDecember 19, 2024
Old images show a plane crash and an image of Assad with his wife in Aleppo, labelled False

Fact check: Fakes surrounding Assad's escape to Moscow

Fact check: Fakes surrounding Assad's escape to Moscow

A lack of recent images or videos of Syria's toppled ruler Bashar Assad is fueling speculation about his fate.
PoliticsDecember 11, 2024
A black and white photo composed of two different images, showing two young women sitting in the back seat of a vehicle

Is influencing just business?

Is influencing just business?

Nigerian influencers are increasingly promoting political parties. Does responsible influencing exist?
Digital WorldDecember 9, 202403:20 min
Binary code is being displayed on a smartphone and on a computer screen

AI fakes, cyberattacks threaten German election

AI fakes, cyberattacks threaten German election

With elections set for February, concern is growing about efforts to sway public opinion through online manipulation.
PoliticsDecember 6, 2024
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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

A screenshot of a social media post on X claiming Zelenskyy bought a luxury hotel in France

Fact check: No, Zelenskyy didn't buy a luxury hotel

False claims about Volodymyr Zelenskyy buying a luxury hotel are the latest attempts to discredit Ukraine's president.
PoliticsDecember 5, 2024
A Russian flag is seen on a laptop, with a larger screen behind displaying computer code

What is hybrid warfare?

Western intelligence agencies accuse Russia of increasingly engaging in hybrid warfare since invading Ukraine.
PoliticsNovember 30, 2024
A compilation of several X-accounts

Fact check: Suspicious accounts influencing COP29 debates

Azerbaijan sees itself as a good host and green pioneer. This positive image is also being fueled by dubious X accounts.
ClimateNovember 15, 2024
A screenshot from a video showing riots, with the word False written in the top right corner

Fact check: Amsterdam video doesn't show attack on Israelis

A video of riots following the game between Ajax Amsterdam and Maccabi Tel Aviv was misrepresented by media outlets.
PoliticsNovember 12, 2024
A photo of the accounts of Donald Trump and Elon Musk on X

Fact check: Disinformation's impact on the US election

Mis- and disinformation spread like wildfire on social media platforms. Did this sway the vote?
PoliticsNovember 7, 2024
A photo of a mobile phone that shows Donald Trump's X account

AI-driven bot network tried to help Trump win US election

A bot network has been drumming up support for Donald Trump on social media platform X shortly before the US elections.
PoliticsNovember 5, 2024
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