In a bid to combat misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms, DUBAWA, a fact-checking organization, has verified several public assertions shared during the last week. One of the claims checked was about Manchester City, an English football club, which was said to have received a 20-point deduction for ten seasons. However, DUBAWA's findings indicate that the Premier League has not yet sanctioned the club. The league also stated that the hearing would remain private and confidential until the outcome could be legally published.
Another claim verified by DUBAWA was made by Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, who claimed that a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) report predicted that by 2027, there would be no male child in Grade 7/JSS 1 in Shiroro and Munya Local Government Areas of Niger State. However, UNICEF, through its Communication Specialist, Samuel Kaalu, denied conducting or commissioning such a study. DUBAWA also noted that the report Bago quoted was prepared by the Ministries of Education of Katsina, Zamfara, and Niger states, and funded by UNICEF.
DUBAWA also investigated a claim that a woman was recently killed in Niger State for blasphemy. An image was shared on social media, but Google Reverse Image Search confirmed that the image attached to the post showed Hauwa Mohammed Liman, an aid worker and midwife with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). She was abducted and executed by the jihadist militant sect, Boko Haram, in Borno State in October 2018.
Coventry City Football Club was also the subject of a claim, with a Facebook post stating that the club had sacked its head coach, Frank Lampard. However, DUBAWA checked Coventry City's official website and found no related report. No reputable media outlet has reported that the club dismissed the head coach, and Coventry City still identifies Lampard as its head coach.
A Facebook user also claimed that a mixture of Vaseline and fresh lemon can clear sunburn. However, DUBAWA discovered that the spot on the woman's face portrayed as sunburn appeared dark and uniform in texture and color, unlike the uneven redness and inflammation typical of an actual sunburn. Our research found no dermatological basis for the claimed remedy.
DUBAWA's efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation are crucial in today's digital age. The organization's fact-checking initiatives help to verify public claims and provide accurate information to the public. By doing so, DUBAWA aims to promote a culture of truth and accuracy in Ghana and beyond.
In conclusion, DUBAWA's recent verifications have uncovered several instances of misinformation and disinformation on social media platforms. The organization will continue to investigate and verify public claims to ensure that accurate information is disseminated to the public.
Key points
- DUBAWA verifies public claims to combat misinformation and disinformation.
- Manchester City has not yet been sanctioned by the Premier League.
- UNICEF denies predicting no male child in Grade 7/JSS 1 in Niger State by 2027.
