By Fazal Khaliq
It is not a new phenomenon that various individuals spread rumours, fake news or fraudulent claims during pandemics, wars or other calamities.
During the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic various people shared false photos to mislead people about fatalities caused by Covid-19.
Two examples are stated below:
1: Claim
Many people on social media platforms posted a photo showing currency notes lying scattered on the streets claiming that Italians are throwing their money on the roads as it is infected with coronavirus and is useless to them.
Fact:
However, the claim is misleading as the photos were, originally taken in Venezuela in March 2019. The currency is actually Venezuela’s old currency known as Bolivar Fuerte, replaced by a new currency, the Bolivar Soberano in August 2018. Thus the old currency was thrown on the road worthless for the people.
2: Claim
A false image showing large number of dead bodies lying scattered claiming that they have succumbed to Covid-19.
Fact:
According to AFP Fact Check, the image shows people participating in an art project in 2014 to remember the victims of the Nazi’s Katzbach concentration camp in Frankfurt.
