It seems like every day; there's a new headline about fake news. What even is fake news, and how can you protect yourself from it?
Fake news is a type of propaganda that is designed to deceive people into believing something that isn't true. It can be spread through social media, websites, or even traditional news sources.
Here are 10 of the most recent fake news stories that made headlines. Be sure to watch out for these types of stories, and always fact-check before you share.
"Living corpses" in Bucha
The world was shocked in early April by photos showing the bodies of citizens in the Ukrainian village of Bucha, located not far from Kyiv. There were hundreds of remains scattered throughout the streets in late March after Russian forces had withdrawn.
It was called a "deliberate massacre" by Ukrainian officials, blaming Russian troops. Russia responded by stating the Bucharest tapes were a "staged propaganda production."
Ghost of Kyiv
The Ukrainian people, after recovering from the first shock of the Russian invasion, took solace in the news of Ukrainian military accomplishments. Stories about the so-called "Ghost of Kyiv," a phantom fighter who allegedly shot down 40 Russian planes by himself, came to popularity.
Ukrainian Nazis
Photos and videos claiming to depict "Ukrainian Nazis," most notably during the World Cup in Qatar, have surfaced online in recent months, in keeping with the supposed "denazification" of Ukraine that Russian President Vladimir Putin has frequently put forward as justification for his invasion.
German hospice did not offer Putin tattoos
President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, or other Russian officials tattooed on dying patients? An English-language video resembling a DW story claimed something was happening at a German hospice.
Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun on the cover of 'Vogue' magazine
The post's Hitler-Braun photo never appeared in Vogue or on its cover. None of Vogue's 24 publicly accessible 1939 editions featured the couple.
Europe is not experiencing medieval conditions
German Federal Network Agency head Klaus Müller and German Economy Minister Robert Habeck have both urged their people to take shorter, cooler showers in an effort to conserve water and electricity.
Industrial countries responsible for flooding in Pakistan
Rising greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels for energy are a major contributor to global warming. According to research, the United States and Europe account for around 53% of the global total for both territorial (1850-1969) and consumer-based CO2 emissions (1970-2015).
'Herbal abortions' are unsafe
In light of the Supreme Court's decision to abolish abortion rights, over half of the states in the United States have banned the medical practice.
Monkey pox is not the result of coronavirus vaccines
Another false news conspiracy claiming that coronavirus vaccinations had negative side effects, this time altering human DNA and rendering women infertile, began circulating in 2022.
Qatar 'bought' World Cup fans
The foreign press has claimed that Qatar "bought" their fans by paying for their transportation to the stadium and lodging during the game. According to the argument, supporters promised to spread the word of the World Cup on social media in exchange.
IFCC
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