Fake News used to misinform the public - Lai Mohammed

Fact-checkers in India have a hard time quashing quick-spreading misinformation online. Low media literacy and cultural biases have caused people to follow through on dangerous impulses.

Lekki-Ikoyi link Bridge is safe, disregard fake news - CP, Lagos

Officials of the Ghanaian High Commission in Abuja have debunked a statement credited to Ghanaian President insulting the Nigerian government

Rumors that the bodies of 600 children have been found in Germany's flood disaster areas are rife on social media and other online platforms. DW looked into the story to find the origin of the false reports.

Social media users have been sharing images that purport to be of Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid. It's claimed they show he's leading a double life. The photos, supposedly, include him failing to wear a head covering and even posing alongside a woman who also isn't wearing a headscarf or veil. But by using reverse image searches and facial recognition technology, it's easy to see the photos are all of other people. The means to spot fakes are out there, but people have to want to look.

There's a thin line between political satire and stories that are simply fake news. A recent resurfacing of a story about Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, illustrates the problem. We take a closer look.

In recent days, two former presidents have been targets of fake news. In DR Congo, a photo of Joseph Kabila has been circulating with the claim he is alongside the former head of the armed group ADF which has links with the Islamic State group. A video, meanwhile, shows a crowd of supporters of Alpha Condé gathering in Paris... although the man they are shouting in support of is not the overthrown Guinean President and it wasn't filmed in Paris at all.

In recent days, two former African presidents have been the targets of fake news. In DR Congo, a photo of Joseph Kabila has been circulating with the claim he stood alongside the former head of the rebel group ADF, which has links with the Islamic State group. Another video, meanwhile, purports to show a crowd of supporters of Alpha Condé gathering in Paris... although the man they are shouting in support of is not the ousted Guinean president and it wasn't filmed in Paris at all.

A photo showing an obscene-looking children's slide has been going viral on Twitter with the accusation it was erected at a playground in a Paris school and putting Mayor Anne Hidalgo once again in the line of fire. In reality, the tweet was a joke, but the more it was shared, the more confusion it caused.

Whether it's COVID-19, climate change or migration — fake news spreads six times faster on social media than facts. But how can I identify and check fake news? Here's some advice from DW's fact-checking team.

Neil Young's ultimatum to music platform Spotify has generated much comment and debate over the past week. We take a closer look at the stand-off between the Canadian-American singer and the controversial US podcaster Joe Rogan.