Yearly fact-check recap: The rumours we proved fake and the myths we busted in 2022

Hyderabad: NewsMeter continued its fight against misinformation and fake news in 2022. From debunking news about Viral Kohli's retirement following India's debacle at the T20 World Cup to refuting claims that PM Modi said singing bhajans can solve malnutrition, here are our top 10 fact-checks for the year 2022:

1. PM Modi claimed singing bhajans can solve malnutrition

Several social media users claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 92nd episode of 'Mann ki Baat,' suggested that singing "bhajans" (devotional songs) could solve the problem of malnutrition.

NewsMeter revealed that the Prime Minister did not claim that singing bhajans can cure malnutrition. He was speaking of cultural programmes, consisting of songs and bhajans, being organised in Anganwadi centres where feasts were served. This led to an increase in the attendance of children which led to a decrease in malnutrition.

Read the full story here.

2. Queen Elizabeth II was bid farewell with chants of 'Om'

Queen Elizabeth II died on 8 September 2022. Following this, a video of school children singing a Sanskrit shloka was doing the rounds with the claim that the Queen was bid farewell with chants of "Om."

NewsMeter proved that the claim was false. The video showed British students performing Sanskrit shlokas at the Queen's Baton Relay 2010. The Queen's Baton Relay is a journey that began with Cardiff Commonwealth Games in 1958 and has since been the curtain raiser to every Commonwealth Games.

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3. Indian govt. instructed smartphone companies to stop making 4G, 3G phones

In October, a message started circulating with the claim that the Indian government has instructed smartphone companies to stop manufacturing 4G and 3G phones.

This claim proved to be fake. PIB fact-check issued a statement clarifying that the Central government has issued no such instructions.

Read the full story here.

4. A video of UK PM Rishi Sunak partying at a club

After the Indian-origin Rishi Sunak became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in October 2022, social media users started sharing a video with the claim that it showed the new UK PM dancing at a club.

NewsMeter found that the man in the video is not Rishi Sunak but his doppelganger.

Read the full story here.

5. Trump congratulated Elon Musk on his Twitter takeover

After the takeover of Twitter, a screenshot of a statement purported to be by former US President Donald Trump congratulating Elon Musk started doing the rounds of social media.

NewsMeter found that Mr Trump had made no such statement. ANI that had tweeted Mr. Trump's statement later retracted it and clarified that "No statement from Donald Trump on Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter has been released. This was a fake statement circulating."

Read the full story here.

6. Elon Musk said "Twitter Tere Tukde Honge" gang will also have to pay $8 for blue tick

A screenshot of a Hindi tweet reportedly by Elon Musk was circulating on social media. In the tweet, Musk says that the gang planning to break Twitter will also have to pay $8 for the blue tick.

We found that the tweet was by Dr. Ian Woolford, a Hindi lecturer at La Trobe University, who was impersonating Elon Musk and using his name, display picture, and bio.

Read the full story here.

7. Viral Kohli announced his retirement after T20 World Cup debacle

After India's embarrassing exit from the T20 World Cup 2022, a video of cricketer Virat Kohli started doing the rounds of social media with the claim that he has announced his retirement from international cricket.

NewsMeter proved that Kohli did not announce his retirement in the viral video.

Read the full story here.

8. Zakir Naik converted people to Islam at FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar

A video of controversial Islamic preacher and televangelist Zakir Naik was shared with the claim that he converted people to Islam at the FIFA World Cup 2022 held in Qatar.

NewsMeter found that the video dates back to 2016 and was not related to the World Cup.

Read the full story here.

9. A video of Messi hugging his mother after winning the World Cup final

After Argentina won the FIFA World Cup 2022, defeating France in the final match played in Qatar on 18 December, a video went viral claiming that it shows Argentine footballer Lionel Messi hugging his mother.

We found that the woman in the viral clip sharing an emotional moment with Messi is Antonia Farias—the chef of the Argentina national team.

Read the full story here.

10. Former Union minister Jitendra Singh tied Rahul Gandhi's shoelaces during Bharat Jodo Yatra

A video from the Congress party's Bharat Jodo Yatra was shared with the claim that former Union minister Jitendra Singh tied Rahul Gandhi's shoelaces.

This claim was refuted by Jitendra Singh who provided photo evidence that proved he was not tying Mr. Gandhi's shoelaces.

Read the full story here.