Misinformation about Israel has been spreading rapidly on social media, but fact-checkers are stepping in to set the record straight. Recently, an image claiming to show a downed Israeli fighter jet went viral, along with other misleading visuals aimed at discrediting Israel. A website called Honest Reporting, which focuses on countering false claims about Israel, has been actively debunking these narratives on social media.
One of their posts pointed out that Iran, unable to shoot down an F-35 jet, created a fake image using artificial intelligence. They highlighted absurd claims, such as a “destroyed jet” and even a Star Wars spaceship supposedly hidden in Tel Aviv. Honest Reporting humorously responded to a claim about Israel hiding military assets under an apartment building, saying it looked more like a Star Destroyer from a movie than anything real.
In another example, D-Intent Data, a group dedicated to fighting misinformation, shared a video that was falsely claimed to show Iranian missile strikes on Israel. They clarified that the footage actually came from the Russia-Ukraine war, showing the aftermath of a drone attack on a Russian oil refinery earlier this year.
These misleading images and videos spread quickly online, often before anyone had a chance to question their authenticity. Honest Reporting noted various details that exposed the fakes, such as incorrect features on the jets and other visual inconsistencies.
Amid these developments, Priyankka Deo, a professor and host of "The Indian Abroad," criticized an unofficial Iranian news outlet for spreading these fake images. She emphasized that such actions are not journalism but rather manipulation, warning that fabricating visuals during a conflict is both irresponsible and dangerous.
As the situation unfolds, fact-checkers continue to work hard to combat misinformation, ensuring that the truth prevails in a time of heightened tensions.
