Information Disorder Analysis CentreMedia LiteracySpecial Reports

Four recurring claims in 2022

Information disorder is characterised by misinformation (false or misleading content shared without intent), disinformation (false or misleading content shared with intent), and Malinformation (true content manipulated, amplified and shared in the wrong context). 

Whether the information is true, false, or misleading, some claims have become known for their ability to reappear, change form, context, and location. 

Here are some of such claims DUBAWA encountered in 2022. 

  1. Politicians offering grants 

From Bola Tinubu offering N25,000 to Yemi Osibanjo offering N33,000 grants, scammers continue to seek to defraud Nigerians with promises of grants from politicians. 

In 2021, DUBAWA fact-checked a similar claim that Mr Tinubu was offering N19,800 grants to Nigerians which turned out to be a hoax. 

Four recurring claims in 2022
Photo credit: Google images
  1. Sucking a woman’s breast reduces her risk of breast cancer

In 2021, DUBAWA verified the claim that the sucking of breasts, especially by spouses or partners, can reduce the chances of breast cancer.

During cancer awareness on October 22, this assertion still resurfaced in conversations online, such as on Twitter and Facebook.  

This claim is false. We discovered that it is women breastfeeding their babies that can reduce their chances of getting breast cancer because of the hormones stimulated by such action, not a partner sucking the woman’s breast.

Four recurring claims in 2022
Image of a mother breastfeeding her baby. Photo credit: Google image. 
  1. COVID-19 vaccines spark HIV

In August 2022, DUBAWA verified a claim linking the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to COVID-19 and smallpox vaccines. 

According to the viral WhatsApp message containing the claim, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) admitted to HIV being part of the COVID-19 vaccine. Our findings reveal this is false and baseless. 

DUBAWA found that Reuters had earlier in February fact-checked similar claims. 

Four recurring claims in 2022
Image of a vaccine. Photo credit: Reuters 
  1. DIY pregnancy test with urine and salt/toothpaste 

In 2019, DUBAWA verified a claim that women could simply run a pregnancy test themselves at home with salt or toothpaste. This method, they say, is the most effective and easiest way of testing for pregnancy.

In 2022 this claim resurfaced in an Instagram reel shared with us for verification. In this version, the Instagram user @momsinlabour claimed that adding two teaspoons of salt in early morning urine is used to test for pregnancy.

Both claims are, however, false as they have no medical basis. 

Four recurring claims in 2022
Photo credit: Google image. 
Show More

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Back to top button