CLAIM: A supposed front page of a popular newspaper in Sierra Leone, AYV Newspaper, has gone viral with a banner headline “Inter-Religious Council congratulates President-Elect Dr. Samura M Kamara.” The headline story is part of the June 26 edition of the Africa Young Voices Newspaper (AYV-News).
Findings
DUBAWA’s check on the viral content shows that the viral front page newspaper had been doctored, as seen in the newspaper’s original copy below.
Also, the Head of Programs at the Africa Young Voices Media Empire – Mr Samuel Wise-Bangura, in the AYV’s popular Good Morning Salone show on Monday, 26 June 2023, vehemently dissociated their institution from the doctored newspaper.
Additionally, the management of the Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone (IRCSL) has on Monday, June 26, 2023, equally published a statement signed and stamped by the Council’s Secretary General and President, Rev. Dr Usman Jesse Fornah and Most Rev. Dr Edward Tamba Charles, respectively, dissociating the Council from the purported front page story.
VERDICT: FALSE
AUTHORS: Fayia Jnr Moseray and Edna Egegba
