10+ Fake News Circulating Amid the Lebanese Revolution
Twenty-four days have passed since the first day of the revolution, and people have been living off news and media platforms all day long, even from the streets. The media is our number one source to know what is happening in different streets around Lebanon, and when the media fails to give us exact news, we turn to social media.
Unfortunately, social media is the number one platform for misleading headlines and fake news. Isn’t Facebook the platform that “endorsed” the fake news of Pope Francis supporting the US President Donald Trump in the 2016 American elections?
If there is anything disrupting the revolution in Lebanon, it is definitely the infinite news forwarded by WhatsApp, which are most likely bias and as far from reality as possible.
This is a list of fake news that not only should we not spread, but also correct others that do:
#1 Bankruptcy of Audi Bank
Via Bank Audi
Audi Bank is one of the biggest banks in Lebanon and is involved in the lawsuit Judge Ghada Aoun filed against a former Prime Minister for illicit enrichment. This news, however, is untrue as stated in a statement the bank released.
#2 President Aoun rushed to the hospital
@generalmichelaoun embedded via
Some news even reported a hidden death of the Lebanese President. The Lebanese Republican Palace denied these allegations and insisted that the President is in good health.
#3 Gas station closed because of insufficient amount of fuel
Via Reuters
A member of the Syndicate of Gas Stations Owners Fadi Abou Chakra stated that there is no shortage in fuel. He stressed that only 15% of gas stations closed on a certain day during the revolution due to blocked roads for a few hours, but then went back to function normally.
#4 Lebanese government ordered Lebanese and International media platforms to stop covering the revolutions
This video is not available. @lbcilebanon embedded via
Even though Lebanese media is not covering the revolution 24/7, they are still significantly covering all areas around Lebanon.
#5 Army announces an emergency alert throughout Lebanon
@lebanesearmy_official embedded via
The Army Command issued a statement refuting the circulating "news" that the army has declared an Emergency Status Alert and imposed curfews. In its statement, the army encouraged Lebanese people not to get pulled by rumors, and to check its official website for such news.
#6 Government announces an internet ban/shutdown
View on X/Twitter
The general director of the Lebanese telecommunication service provider Ogero, Imad Kreidieh, addressed this false news in a tweet on his official Twitter account.