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Misbar's Top Fact-Check Stories of 2024

Ahmad AlyAhmad Aly
date
1st January 2025
Last update
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12:50 pm
2nd January 2025
Misbar's Top Fact-Check Stories of 2024
Misbar is debunking false narratives and providing accurate information

In 2024, the landscape of misinformation and disinformation became increasingly complex and pervasive, posing significant risks to democratic processes and public trust in information sources.

The spread of misinformation in the MENA region has been described as an “infodemic,” with false information often outpacing factual reporting. This trend was particularly pronounced during crises such as health emergencies and political upheavals.

Disinformation campaigns are often politically motivated, with governments and organizations using false narratives to achieve specific goals. Social media platforms have played a crucial role in spreading misinformation.

Fact-checking initiatives like Misbar are actively working to debunk false narratives and provide accurate information. Misbar employs a combination of journalistic standards and advanced AI techniques to verify information. The platform adheres to best practices in fact-checking, ensuring that all published material is monitored for accuracy.

Here are the key stories and fact-checks regarding these efforts in 2024:

Netanyahu’s Speech to U.S. Congress and Hostage Release Claims

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the U.S. Congress in July 2024 sparked significant discussion regarding his claims about the release of hostages held by Hamas. Netanyahu vowed to achieve a “complete victory” over Hamas, emphasizing the importance of military operations for the hostages' release.

He highlighted the return of 135 captives during the ongoing war, suggesting that military pressure was instrumental in their release. Contrary to Netanyahu's portrayal, most of the hostages were released through political negotiations during a cease-fire in late November 2023. These exchanges were facilitated by international mediators rather than solely through military operations.

Families of hostages expressed dissatisfaction with Netanyahu's speech, feeling it downplayed the urgency of negotiations for their loved ones' release. This reflects broader concerns about the Israeli government's approach to hostage situations amid ongoing military actions.

While Netanyahu received applause from many lawmakers, significant protests occurred outside Congress. Protesters voiced discontent over the high Palestinian death toll and called for a cease-fire amid escalating violence in Gaza.

Reports indicated that Israeli forces recovered the bodies of several captives killed during the war, adding to the emotional weight of the situation and highlighting the complexities involved in military operations aimed at hostage recovery.

The Truth Behind Netanyahu’s Claims Before Congress on Captives Freed From Gaza

Misinformation Surrounding Hamas Leader Yahya Sinwar After Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

Following the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood by Hamas on October 7, 2023, a significant rise in misinformation regarding Hamas leaders, particularly Yahya Sinwar, was observed. Fact-checking efforts highlighted several misleading claims that circulated on social media and other platforms.

An old video of Yahya Sinwar discussing assassination threats from Israeli forces, originally recorded in May 2021, was misrepresented as a statement following the operation. This misattribution contributed to confusion regarding the current context of his remarks.

Another video, claimed to show Sinwar's first public appearance after the ceasefire, was actually filmed earlier in 2023, further muddying the timeline of events and his statements during the war.

Yahya Sinwar
Yahya Sinwar

Edited footage circulated on social media purportedly showing citizens reacting to a photo of Sinwar instead featured an Israeli army spokesman. This manipulation of visuals contributed to the spread of disinformation about public sentiment towards Hamas leadership.

Various images that were claimed to depict visits by Sinwar were actually from previous years, demonstrating how historical content is being repurposed to create misleading narratives about his activities and influence during the ongoing Gaza war.

The Prominent Misleading Claims Against Yahya Sinwar Since Operation Al-Aqsa Flood

Trump’s Gaza Visit Claim Under Scrutiny After Fact-Check

Former President Donald Trump’s claim during an interview with radio host Hugh Hewitt that he had visited Gaza has faced significant scrutiny and fact-checking by major media outlets. Trump stated, "I’ve been there, and it’s rough," while discussing the region’s potential for development. However, investigations by CNN, The New York Times, and The Washington Post found no evidence to support his assertion of ever traveling to Gaza, either during his presidency or before.

Major outlets reported there is no public record of Trump visiting Gaza. His campaign spokesperson claimed he had been to Gaza but did not provide specific details, such as dates or context.

During the interview, a spokesperson for Trump’s campaign suggested, "Gaza is in Israel," which is factually incorrect. Gaza has been governed by Hamas since 2007 and is recognized as a separate territory under international law.

Trump says He's visited Gaza
A screenshot of The New York Times’ article

Former officials who worked on Middle East policy, including David Schenker, a Trump-appointed former assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, said they were unaware of any such trip by Trump. Schenker specifically noted that Trump did not visit Gaza during his 2017 trip to Israel.

The last U.S. president known to have visited Gaza was Bill Clinton in 1998. Since then, access has been heavily restricted due to ongoing wars and governance issues in the region. Trump’s comments appear to reflect a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the geographical and political realities surrounding Gaza.

No Record Backs Donald Trump's Claim of Visiting Gaza

False Claims of Christmas Cancellation in Syria Refuted: Misbar Investigation Debunks Pro-Regime Claims

Pro-Syrian regime users falsely claimed that opposition factions had ordered the cancellation of Christmas celebrations in Syria. However, an investigation by Misbar confirmed this was untrue, as no official reports supported such claims. In reality, Christians in Syria are preparing for Christmas amid a changing political landscape following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.

Christmas Cancellation in Syria

The new Islamist-led government, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has reassured religious minorities about their rights, though economic hardships persist.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has reassured religious minorities about their rights
A screenshot of the Patriarchate of Antioch’s statement (Facebook)

The claim that opposition factions canceled Christmas celebrations lacks credible evidence. Misbar's investigation shows no official reports corroborate these claims, highlighting the spread of misinformation.

Syrian Churches Were Not Ordered to Cancel Christmas Celebrations

Misinformation and Disinformation Target Black Voters in the 2024 Election

The issue of misinformation and disinformation targeting Black communities in the lead-up to the 2024 U.S. presidential election is increasingly alarming, as it poses a significant threat to voter participation and the integrity of the democratic process.

Supporters of Donald Trump have been using AI-generated images that falsely depict Black individuals endorsing him. This tactic aims to create a misleading narrative of widespread Black support for the former president, which is not substantiated by reality.

Misinformation and Disinformation Target Black Voters in the 2024 Election
Screenshot shows the tweet of Patrick Ruffini: AI generated photos feature black man involved in the Trump campaign

A Misbar investigation identified two verified accounts on X (formerly Twitter) responsible for disseminating these misleading images. One account is linked to Patrick Ruffini, a Republican strategist, while the other belongs to Joseph Perez, a social media coordinator for PragerU. Despite their verified status, these accounts are not officially connected to Trump’s campaign, which denied involvement in creating or sharing such content.

The spread of disinformation is part of a broader strategy that can lead to voter suppression, particularly among marginalized communities. This includes tactics reminiscent of Jim Crow-era efforts aimed at disenfranchising Black voters through misleading information about voting processes.

Despite the barrage of misinformation, studies indicate that Black Americans have shown resilience against such falsehoods. For instance, during the 2020 election, significantly fewer Black Americans believed in widespread election fraud compared to their white counterparts.

Black Voters Face Escalating Disinformation Campaigns Ahead of 2024 Election

In 2024, Misbar was recognized as one of the best fact-checking organizations by the Arab Fact-Checkers Network (AFCN). This accolade highlights Misbar’s significant contribution to combating misinformation in the Arab region, particularly through its rigorous fact-checking processes and public engagement initiatives.

While fact-checking is essential for providing accurate information, it faces limitations. Research shows that even when misinformation is debunked, it does not always alter people’s beliefs or behaviors.

Experts stress the importance of engaging with communities directly affected by misinformation. This includes promoting trusted messengers and countering false narratives through reliable information sources.

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