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What Trump’s second term means for information resilience, media credibility

Fatimah Quadri
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What Trump’s second term means for information resilience, media credibility

On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump becomes the 47th President of the United States of America (USA) marking the beginning of his second term in office.

He beats his major opponent, Kamala Harris of the Democratic Party in the November 2024 US election.

Trump’s first presidency was marked by a combative stance on media credibility. His frequent use of terms like “fake news” to discredit traditional media outlets contributed to widespread distrust in journalism post 2016 US elections. Additionally, his first administration’s controversial relationship with fact-checking and media organisations, as well as social media platforms, especially Facebook undermined efforts to combat false narratives.

Experts warn that this rhetoric could further embolden bad actors who seek to spread disinformation for political, financial, or ideological gains. In an era where conspiracy theories and fabricated stories already thrive, Trump‘s approach may exacerbate the fragmentation of public trust in verified information sources, including media platforms.

READ: Mixed reactions as Meta ends fact-checking programme in US, embraces community notes

This could be seen already playing out, as Elon Musk, who is the owner of the social media platform, X is an avid supporter of Donald Trump and his Make America Great Again (MAGA) campaigns. It is worthy to note that since Musk became the owner of the platform, X has been flooded with misinformation and disinformation posts, report noted.

The European Union (EU) Commission had also in 2023 decried increased disinformation posts on X (formerly Twitter), noting that the social media platform has the largest ratio of misinformation and disinformation posts in Europe.

In response, X said it suspended a total of about 5.3 million X accounts in the first half of 2024 for violating its rules, according to its Transparency report. X’s Global Transparency Report outlines enforcement actions taken to maintain a safer environment on the social media platform.

Earlier this year, Meta announced that it would end it’s third party fact-checking programme starting from the United states and replace it with community notes similar to what was adopted by X.

The FactCheckHub had reported how fact-checking organisations from different parts of the world expressed dissatisfaction with Meta’s statement. Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, did not fail to hint that the changes were influenced by political events, including Trump’s second term presidency.

It is also worthy to note that Meta’s current chief global affairs officer, Joel Kaplan, who replaced Nick Clegg and who also released the statement is a long standing member of the Republican Party. According to The New York Times, Kaplan has close ties in the Trump administration and his promotion was seen as the company’s attempt to best position itself for the Trump presidency.

 

Information resilience during Trump’s 2nd presidency

Speaking to The FactCheckHub, the Editor-in-Chief, CheckClimate Africa, Lanre Olagunju, stated that Donald Trump’s second term could reshape the information ecosystem, particularly on platforms like X and Meta citing his earlier clashes with social media companies, which led to his 2021 Meta ban for incitement of violence in the US Capitol.

“Recent policy changes by Meta, such as replacing professional fact-checkers with crowd-sourced community notes, raise additional concerns. While Trump and his allies have criticised fact-checkers as infringing on free speech, this shift risks enabling the unchecked spread of disinformation, particularly on topics requiring specialised expertise, like climate change or public health.

“These dynamics could lead to a surge in politically-motivated misinformation. Without robust moderation mechanisms, platforms risk becoming echo chambers for disinformation, further complicating the global fight against false information,” Olagunju said.

Similarly, the Head of Programmes for FactCheck Africa, Habeeb Adisa, observed that Trump’s second term is likely to mirror his first, with no significant changes in his approach and possibly greater intensity in spreading fake news and half-truths.

“You have to look at the integrity of information in his first tenure and its aftermath. To answer the question at all, to look at the personae of Trump, is there any changes? No. We should not expect anything other than as witness in the first tenure, maybe it would be even worse.

“The new announcement by Meta is not in isolation. The war of information in the disguise of “free speech” might have just gotten to a bigger stage,” Adisa added.

 

Global implications of Trump’s ‘free speech’ campaigns

For journalists, fact-checkers, and civil society organizations, Trump’s second term presents a crucial challenge: navigating an era of intensified information warfare. The rise of generative AI tools has made fabricating convincing fake content easier than ever, amplifying the risks associated with unchecked disinformation.

An experienced media personality and Publisher of NatureNews, Aliu Akoshile, stressed that Trump will likely sustain his hostility with the press during the second term in office due to his sarcastic and often mischievous attacks on the press during his first tenure.

He noted that Trump intermittently deployed rhetoric such as “fake news” to weaponise anti-press sentiments and created credibility crises, especially at the critical crossroads of investigative journalism.

Akoshile said: “Trump may also escalate the conflict and further polarise the press by leveraging the proliferation of amorphous online news outlets to promote his prejudices. This will surely deepen public mistrust and aggravate the global hues about the pervasiveness of misinformation and disinformation in the press.

“The implications extend beyond the U.S. as disinformation fueled by Trump’s actions and rhetoric could ripple across borders, influencing elections, polarizing societies, and destabilizing international alliances.”

 

Which way forward?

Akoshile noted that it is essential for publishers and editors-in-chief to play a crucial role in countering political rhetoric and public mistrust by prioritizing fair reporting and urgently investing in robust fact-checking strategies.

“Publishers and newsrooms need to invest in robust fact-checking as a matter of urgency. Although many have embraced this,  it must be a universal ideal to which all media outlets must commit themselves.

“Newsroom leaders should also promote initiatives for media literacy, which will enable the public to identify biased or misleading reporting. This commitment to accuracy will enhance credibility and restore public trust in the media,” Akoshile added.

ALSO READ: Navigating misinformation in the 2024 US election: What voters need to know

He added that paid content, whether in text, photo, or video form, should be clearly labeled as promotional to ensure transparency and differentiate it from news or editorial content.

The Executive Director of Round Check, Caleb Ijioma, emphasized the need for practical discussions on sustainability plans to support fact-checking organizations, stressing that combating misinformation requires both adequate funding and strategic approaches during these challenging times.

“The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) and all smaller networks of fact-checkers must continue discussing the potential impact of this issue. Secondly, they should, where possible, challenge these potential misinformation activities or patterns in court, especially because of their harmful effects on society and the world at large.

“Additionally, we need to start addressing sustainability. If funding and research grants are cut off, how will these organizations operate? We need to begin practical discussions on sustainability plans to keep fact-checking organizations afloat,” Ijioma buttressed.

Olagunju shares the same thoughts as he notes that Trump’s strained relations with U.S. intelligence agencies during his first term could signal a reduced focus on countering state-sponsored disinformation campaigns from state actors like Russia, China, and Iran.

He warned that NGOs, coalitions, and independent fact-checkers should intensify their works by creating independent frameworks to identify and combat disinformation.

“Trump’s policies and rhetoric could undermine efforts to combat disinformation on multiple fronts. This stance could embolden state actors like Russia, China, and Iran to escalate their disinformation campaigns, anticipating reduced U.S. push-back. Trump’s strained relations with U.S. intelligence agencies during his first term, particularly over Russian election interference, hint at a potential lack of focus on countering state-sponsored disinformation.

“However, his policies could inadvertently galvanise efforts by civil society, academia, and international organisations to address the leadership gap,” Olagunju opined.

Armour for the digital age: Three easy tools to help you verify information in 2025

FactCheckHub
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Armour for the digital age: Three easy tools to help you verify information in 2025

In a digital world where it’s easier than ever to mislead, building resilience to false information is more important than ever.

We’ve rounded up three powerful verification tools to help you navigate treacherous online spaces over the next year. These tools are free to use and require little time and few clicks to investigate images, videos, search results and web pages.

1. Context is everything: Google’s About this result

Google Search has built-in tools to help you find high-quality information and make sense of what you see online. We find the About this result feature especially useful, which gives valuable context about a web result, source or image. . Accessing these is as simple as clicking on the three dots next to a source or image you find in the search results page.

READ THIS: Nine open source tools for analysing satellite images

Depending on what type of search result you’re looking at, you can find information such as how a site describes itself, as well as details about social media accounts and reviews. You can also often access archived snapshots of a website to see when it was first added to Google’s inventory. All of this information can help you decide whether to trust the search result.

 

Let’s look at an example. Disinformers have sometimes operated under the guise of a fact-checking organisation to gain trust. Imagine you come across an organisation, let’s say Africa Check, that claims to conduct fact-checking work in South Africa.

  • Start by performing a Google search. When the results appear, click the three dots on the right of the result.

This will bring up a side panel. Here you can see what Africa Check says about itself, as well as a description of it (often from Wikipedia, under the heading About the source) and an explanation of how Google decided to show you that particular source (under Your search and this result).

Clicking More about this page opens another tab showing more context, in this instance the name of Africa Check’s founder, when the organisation was started, and an excerpt from the website. Clicking on social media icons lets you navigate to accounts associated with the organisation. Results for a Google search of the source’s name are then shown.

Further down, you can see the site was first indexed by Google more than 10 years ago, indicating that the organisation has likely been around for a while. (Note: This isn’t always the same as when an organisation or business was founded. Africa Check was started in 2012.)

 

Below that, you may find some images from the source’s site, along with an estimate of when they may have first appeared online. From here, you can click More about image to dive deeper.

Using About this image

Much of the false information we encounter daily is not edited or generated by artificial intelligence (AI) tools. More often, real images are presented inaccurately by claiming an old photo is recent or that it shows a different event or place. About this image can be a quick way to debunk this kind of trickery.

Let’s take this example of a photo showing a confrontation between police and protesters. If you had searched for this image online, you could click the three dots and navigate to About this image, which would show you where the photo appeared (for example, within news articles or fact-checks), and an estimate of when the photo first appeared online.

If someone posted the photo claiming it showed, say, a protest in the United States from the previous day, we could easily see that:

  • The photo was first indexed by Google in November 2023.
  • Multiple reputable news articles have used the photo, reporting on a protest in Cape Town, South Africa.
  • More details about the event can be found in similar photos and videos results.

2. A time capsule: Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine

You can think of this tool as a time machine, a giant library that captures and stores content on the internet at specific points in time. The Wayback Machine has saved over 916 billion web pages to date.

DON’T MISS THIS: How to help children spot fake news

It can be very helpful to see information that was removed from a site, or track the changes in a site over time. The Wayback Machine archive consists of pages users  have requested to be captured and the organisation’s own archiving efforts, so it doesn’t capture everything. If a page has been saved, you will be able to see, in varying detail, how it looked at particular points in its history.

This tool has many other features, and we’ll just explain the basics. For more depth, check out this video guide or these explanations of how to use the Wayback Machine.

How and why to use the Wayback Machine

To save content: If you come across something you suspect might be deleted in the future or just want to archive something to document it, you can click Save Page Now and optionally tick boxes to archive a screenshot of the page and outlinks. This saves the requested page, all pages linked to that page, and all embedded content. This can sometimes mean archiving hundreds of URLs at once.

If using the website version, paste the URL into the Save Page Now section.

To find content: Imagine a politician is accused of making a scandalous statement in an old video they uploaded to YouTube.

In a 2024 example from South Africa, footage of Renaldo Gouws, then a newly appointed member of parliament, making racist comments was reportedly found in the archive, long after it had been deleted from his YouTube channel. Though Gouws reportedly denied having made it and brushed it off as a deepfake, the archived video eventually led to his axing.

Let’s look at another example. In 2023, we investigated claims that teleconferencing platform Zoom’s terms allowed it to use customer data for training AI models. After public outcry, Zoom changed its terms to say it would not use data for this purpose, but the claim continued to circulate. We tracked these policy changes by comparing terms of service on the website over time. This is easy to do:

  • Go to the Wayback Machine website or install the extension for your browser, and create an account. (Note: This is the method we’ll use here, but there are other ways to access and use the Wayback Machine.)
  • Enter the URL of the website you want to investigate in the search bar, or
  • If you have the browser extension installed, go to the website you’re investigating, navigate to the extension (usually in the top right corner of your browser – see below), and click it.
  • Here, clicking the calendar icon will direct you to the dates and times of every capture linked to that URL. (Note: Instead of the calendar icon, clicking “oldest” or “newest” would direct you to the earliest or most recent captured version of the URL.)
  • You can click the timestamp to view the archived version of the page – here, we can go to a snapshot of Zoom’s terms of service on 29 March 2024.
  • To access more detail, play around with the other options listed, such as collections, changes, summary, site map, and URLs.

Note that the archive of a particular page or site will not always be complete. Some websites also block the Wayback Machine from archiving their publicly accessible content.

3. Speedy video debunks: InVid and WeVerify’s verification plugin

This tool has a range of features designed to help verify images, videos and social media posts. For our purposes, we’ll look at one way of using it to verify a video circulating on social media.

How and why to use InVid and WeVerify

Let’s take the example of a video we fact-checked in the lead-up to theSouth African 2024 elections, which claimed to show US rapper Eminem endorsing an opposition political party. It looked like old footage that had been manipulated in some way, so we used the verification plugin to find out more. Here’s how to do this:

  • Install the InVid and WeVerify verification plugin. (Available as an extension on various browsers. Here’s the version if you use Chrome.)
  • Go to the webpage showing the (publicly accessible) image or video you want to investigate.
  • While on that page, go to your browser extensions. (If using Chrome, extensions are usually in the top right corner, and the plugin is called “Fake news debunker”.)
  • Select the relevant option. It can be useful to select Assistant for current page, which will recommend tools appropriate for the content on that page.
  • This will direct you to recommended options based on the content you’re investigating. Here, you can select Keyframes, which will extract a few distinct still images from the video that you can then perform a reverse image search on. (You could also select other options to search, like by using the video thumbnail.)

  • You should now see the images the tool has extracted. Here, you also see a warning that the video has been found in the Database of Known Fakes, or DBKF. This is because a fact-check has been written on it. If you see this, good news – someone’s likely already done the verification work, and you can read their fact-check.

ALSO READ: How to verify visuals using frames

  • Under Results, simply click on any or all images to perform a reverse search on them. This method uses Google Lens to do that, but you can also use other search tools such as TinEye, Yandex or Bing, depending on how you access the tool.
  • You can then see where else these and similar images from the video have appeared online. In this case, multiple videos appeared, some of them mentioning a particular interview Eminem did many years ago that we then found on YouTube.

Using this tool meant we could then quickly figure out that the video was a deepfake, where someone had manipulated old interview footage.

These are just the basics, and this verification plugin offers a wide range of other tools for different sleuthing needs. However, some of these are more advanced, and knowledge of online investigation techniques is recommended.

We increasingly access online spaces that claim to offer medical, financial, political and legal guidance. When there are hundreds of opinions on what happened or which medicine works, we need to know who to trust – fast.

While fact-checkers can’t verify everything, tools like this are free and accessible and can equip you with the skills you need to sniff out the snake oil.

 

* This report was written by Africa Check., a non-partisan fact-checking organisation. You can view the original piece on their website.

Photo does not show ‘Christian’ house spared in Los Angeles wildfire

Nurudeen Akewushola
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Photo does not show ‘Christian’ house spared in Los Angeles wildfire

AN image showing a white building with a red roof standing intact in a neighbourhood that’s almost fully burnt to ashes has surfaced online with a claim that the house belonged to a Christian during a recent deadly wildfire in Los Angeles, United States.

The photo, among others, have surfaced online with many Nigerians attributing it to the “work of God.” Few others have claimed on social media that the house belonged a Muslim and thus sparking inter-religious chit-chat online.

A Facebook user, Shekinah Glory TV, posted the image with a caption thus:

“The only house that left after wildfire in California.  This is the home of a Christian in Los Angeles, California.

While the houses around him were destroyed by fire, his house remained untouched. God’s promise in Psalm 91:1-6 was fulfilled. You can’t imagine how much he cried for joy, knowing he was protected by God. Truly, God is his refuge.

Psalm 121:7-8:

“The LORD will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

The post has garnered over 500 likes and more than 180 comments as of January 17, 2025.

Another Facebook user, Log Cabin posted the image with another caption that read:

“This is the home of a Christian in Los Angeles, California. Read it below…”

The claim has also gone viral on other social media platforms. For instance, an X user, @UtdQween also posted the image with a caption that thus:
“What could have saved this house from the Pacific Palisades neighborhood fire in Los Angeles, California?”
Few news blogs also published the photo alongside the claim on their website as seen here.

CLAIM

Photo shows the house of a Christian spared during Los Angeles wildfire.

 

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING, as the photo is from a 2023 Hawaii wildfire incident, and unrelated to the Los Angeles wildfire.

Screenshot of one of the viral posts about LA wildfire on social media. INSERT: FALSE verdict.
Screenshot of one of the viral posts about LA wildfire on social media. INSERT: FALSE verdict.

A wildfire in a Los Angeles suburb devoured buildings and sparked panicked evacuations as hurricane-force winds tore through the region in the United States early January this year.

According to Associated Press (AP), the blazes that began on January 7, 2025 destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 25 people, with nearly 30 missing.

Frightened residents abandoned their cars on one of the only roads in and out of the upscale Pacific Palisades area, fleeing on foot from the almost 3,000-acre (1,200-hectare) blaze engulfing an area packed with multimillion-dollar homes in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Investigators are still trying to determine what caused the fires.

Following the wildfire, an Australian media platform posted the interview of a man who claimed that his house was spared while the rest of the buildings in his neighbourhood were burnt down. This led to the circulation of the misleading image.

However, a Google reverse image search traced the photo to a news report published on August 24, 2023, which highlighted the aftermath of the fire that devastated Lahaina, a town on Hawaii’s Maui Island.

While the wildfire destroyed most of the town, a red-roofed house located at 271 Front Street reportedly remained standing amidst the rubble.

Trip Millikin and his wife, Dora Atwater Millikin, owned the house, which was renovated in 2022 after the couple purchased it in 2021. The house’s survival was credited to measures taken during the renovation, including installing a heavy-gauge metal roof, removing vegetation around the property, and adding river stones.

However, contrary to claims of being untouched, closer analysis revealed signs of damage on the property. A PVC pipe attached to the house melted, and images from news reports showed structural impacts, such as peeling paint, due to the fire.

The wildfire, which occurred on August 8, 2023, claimed more than 100 lives and destroyed at least 2,200 buildings. The viral image was captured by Patrick T. Fallon of AFP via Getty Images on August 10, 2023, two days after the blaze.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that the photo shows the house of a Christian spared during a Los Angeles wildfire is MISLEADING; the photo was taken in Lahaina, Maui in Hawaii, after an August 2023 wildfire incident.

Videos of R. Kelly new single are AI generated!

Fatimah Quadri
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Videos of R. Kelly new single are AI generated!

A claim that a music video released from prison by the US singer, Robert Sylvester Kelly, popularly called R. Kelly has gone viral on social media.

The 3 minutes, 37 seconds-video shows multiple scenes from prison yards, and a courtroom with a man purported to be R. Kelly being the centre of attraction in the scenes.

The music video, purported to be the song released by R. Kelly while still in prison, is titled: My Soul Cries Out.

READ: Claim that Ronaldo embraces Islam is FALSE!

An X user, @MarianVictor18, posted the video on January 12, 2025 with a caption that reads:

R Kelly – Official Music Video 2025 (in prison) My soul Cries Out… Pls how many years is he serving???can’t he get a presidential pardon? this voice shouldn’t end in prison.. we know he had done some wrong but please let them have mercy on him .feel like crying watching this.

The post has garnered over 2.1 million views, with more than 22,000 likes, over 10 bookmarks, plus over 9,000 reposts and more than 1,800 comments as of January 14, 2025.

The post has gone viral on X as seen here and here. It has also gone viral on YouTube as seen here, here and here, among other social media platforms.

Robert Sylvester Kelly popularly known as R. Kelly  is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. In August 2021, he went on trial in a US federal court in Brooklyn, facing charges involving racketeering and sex trafficking. The following month, he was convicted on all count-charges. In June 2022, Kelly was sentenced to 30 years in prison but the charges were dropped in January 2023 for him to be sentenced in February of same year for 20 years in prison for child sex crimes.

 

CLAIM

R. Kelly releases a new single titled My Soul Cries Out in prison.

 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE, as the music video is AI-generated.

Screenshot of an appearance of the claim as seen on X; INSERT False verdict
Screenshot of the claim shared by an X user @MarianVictor18. INSERT: False verdict.

Our fact-checker observed that the video has multiple contents of what looked like an AI-generated visuals.

At the start of the music video, the scene showed a man purported to be R.Kelly wearing an orange-colored jumpsuit (an attire synonymous with US prisoners) with a large text inscription of R.KELY written on his back.

Our fact-checker observed that the movement of his hands on the keyboard does not synchronised with the music sound being played.

Other scenes from the video such as the movement of the body parts like walking, talking, and hand gesticulations also had staccato movement. The images also looked AI-generated.

At 1:31 minutes in the video, the inscription on the back of the uniform changed from R.KELY to KELLY. Also the facial features of the man in the visual was inconsistent all through the video as seen in the comparison below.

Screenshot from the video showing inconsistencies in the facial features

Further checks by The FactCheckHub show that name of US prison inmates are not always printed at the back of their uniform rather a paper ID with their name and inmate number on it are issued to each inmate.

When our fact-checker ran the audio through Shazam, an application software that identifies music based on a short sample played using the microphone on the device, it could not identify the song . This likely shows that the song was not released on any official record label and music streaming platforms

A keyword search on the title of the song: My Soul Cries Out revealed some search results pertaining to R. Kelly but when listened to, the rhythms and tunes were entirely different.

However, our fact-checker found a video on YouTube very identical with the one seen on X and uploaded by a subscriber, MagXie_Dom. In the description box, the YouTube user, MagXie_Dom, said that the song was written and created by him/her using AI tools.

ALSO READ: AI-generated images of ‘damaged’ Nigeria’s central bank building circulate online 

“R. Kelly’s powerful track, “My Soul Cries Out,” is a heartfelt plea for redemption and peace. Written and created by MagXie_Dom using AI tools,” it read.

A look at the channel shows that the YouTube user creates musical audio-visuals with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and in the past week has produced more AI musicals attributed to R. Kelly.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that R. Kelly released a new song from prison titled: “My soul cries out” is FALSE; the video and song were AI-generated.

Claims of mass kidnapping in Oyo, state of emergency in South West are FALSE

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
Claims of mass kidnapping in Oyo, state of emergency in South West are FALSE

AN X user, @Voiceofigbos, has claimed that 50 people, including five Nigerian soldiers, have been kidnapped by gunmen in Oyo State, and as a result, a state of emergency has been declared in the South Western region of Nigeria.  

He posted the claim with a caption thus:

“BREAKING: 50 people have been kidnapped in Oyo State Yoruba land by gunmen. 5 Nigerian soldiers were also kidnapped. State of Emergency has been declared across South West. The whole region is a crime scene from Skvll mining to kidnapping.”

READ: Claim that Oyo has been split to two states is misleading!

The post has garnered over 600 likes and more than 300 reposts as of January 14, 2025.

 

CLAIM

50 people, including 5 soldiers, were kidnapped in Oyo State, and a state of emergency has been declared in the South West.

 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub revealed that the claim is FALSE.

Screenshot of the viral post.

Oyo State, located in southwestern Nigeria, is known for its rich cultural heritage, historic cities like Ibadan, and vibrant agricultural activities. It is one of the oldest states in the country and plays a significant role in the region’s economy and politics.

Recently, Oyo State has experienced a rise in security challenges, particularly in rural areas. The state has seen an increase in kidnappings, robberies, and clashes between farmers and herders, which have disrupted peace in local communities. Despite efforts by the government and security agencies to tackle these issues, insecurity remains a pressing concern for both residents and travellers.

In response to the growing security concerns, the Oyo State government has strengthened its security framework by establishing the Oyo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun. This regional security outfit, created in collaboration with other southwestern states, was designed to complement the federal security forces in tackling local crimes, particularly those related to kidnappings, robberies, and inter-communal clashes.

Checks by The FactCheckHub show no credible media reports or official statements confirming the alleged kidnappings or the declaration of a state of emergency in the South West region.

When contacted, Adewale Osifeso, the Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Oyo state Command, debunked the claim.

He said: “No such records, please.”

DON’T MISS THIS: Viral video of protester calling for military takeover is from Edo not Oyo

The FactCheckHub’s enquiry further prompted the command to come up with a press release signed by the spokesperson which reads :

“The Oyo State Police Command wishes to emphatically refute rumors and misleading information making the rounds particularly on Social Media about the death of about (50) fifty persons under mysterious circumstances and a subsequent declaration of a State of Emergency as false and a figment of the author’s imagination.

2. The Command further warns members of the public against the spread of fake and unverified news capable of disrupting the enviable relative tranquility in the State.

3. All Law abiding residents of Oyo State are enjoined to go about their lawful businesses without any fear or molestation as the Command will not renege on its statutory duties of protecting all lives and property.

4.In cases of emergency, the Command can always be reached through these numbers; OYO STATE CALL RESPONSE CENTER TOLL FREE LINE: 615

OYO STATE POLICE COMMAND CONTROL ROOM LINE(S):08081768614, 09054133071 & 09061299291.”

 

THE VERDICT  

The claims that 50 people, including 5 soldiers, were kidnapped in Oyo State and that a state of emergency has been declared in the South West are FALSE; the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, Oyo state Command debunked the claim.

Are HND holders barred from NYSC?

Nurudeen Akewushola
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0
Are HND holders barred from NYSC?

A Facebook user, Obidient Voice, has claimed that holders of Higher National Diploma (HND) are no longer eligible to partake in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). 

He posted the claim with a caption thus: “No more NYSC for HND graduate’s.”

READ: No, Tinubu has not reduced corps members’ allowance

The post has generated over 100 likes and more than 60 comments as of January 11, 2025.

 

CLAIM

HND holders are no longer eligible for NYSC. 

 

THE FINDINGS 

Findings by The FactCheckHub reveal that the claim is MOSTLY FALSE.

Checks indicate that the alleged exclusion affects only Higher National Diploma (HND) graduates who completed part-time National Diploma (ND) programmes and does not apply to all HND graduates, as suggested in the viral post.

According to Punch newspaper, some full-time HND graduates who had previously completed part-time ND programmes protested their exclusion from the NYSC scheme. This occurred during the commencement of registration for the second stream of Batch C mobilisation, which began on Monday, January 6, 2025.

The protesters, who gathered at the NYSC secretariat in Lagos, carried placards with messages such as “Say No To Discrimination in NYSC” and “Equal Rights for All,” demanding their inclusion in the scheme.  

DON’T MISS THIS: Report that Osinbajo advised FG to suspend NYSC for two years is FALSE

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) had earlier raised concerns that these students were being denied NYSC registration due to the “(P)” designation attached to their Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) registration numbers, signifying part-time status during their ND programmes.  

Speaking with The FactCheckHub, Caro Lembu, Acting Director of Press at the NYSC headquarters in Abuja, refuted the viral claim suggesting that the exclusion is general.

“Not all polytechnic graduates are ineligible for service. It only applies to those who studied ND on a part-time basis,” she clarified.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that HND graduates are no longer eligible for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme is MOSTLY FALSE; findings show that the directive is only applicable to HND holders who did part-time ND programmes.

 

EDITOR’S NOTE:

* The headline was corrected.

IFCN writes Meta CEO, warns against setbacks of online accuracy

Abdullahi Muritala
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IFCN writes Meta CEO, warns against setbacks of online accuracy

SEQUEL to Meta‘s announcement to end its third-party fact-checking programme in the United States, over 100 fact-checking organizations who are signatories to the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) have warned against setbacks for accuracy online and its potential global real-life consequences.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads, has announced its decision to end its third-party fact-checking programming in the US, thus sparking concerns from journalists and advocacy groups across the world.

The programme, launched in 2016, aimed to combat misinformation by partnering with verified nonpartisan fact-checkers to label and reduce the spread of false information without removing such content outrightly.

READ: Mixed reactions as Meta ends fact-checking programme, embraces community notes

In an open letter addressed to Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, on January 9, 2025, fact-checkers expressed disappointment in Zuckerberg’s statement arguing that the decision threatens nearly a decade of progress in promoting accurate information online.

They criticized Meta’s rationale, which claimed the programme had become “a tool to censor” due to political bias.

“This is false,” the letter stated, emphasizing the programme’s strict non-partisanship standards. Fact-checkers involved were required to undergo annual independent verification by the IFCN, including independent assessment and peer review to ensure objectivity and transparency.

The letter also highlighted Meta’s long-standing praise of the programme’s effectiveness, pointing to internal research and Congressional testimony that demonstrated reduced belief in and sharing of false information. The fact-checkers refuted claims of censorship, clarifying that “Meta”not the “fact-checkers”decided how flagged content was handled.

Despite these assurances, Meta’s announcement comes at a politically sensitive time, with some speculating that the move is a response to political pressure from the incoming U.S. administration.

Incoming US President, Donald Trump, whose own content was often flagged under the programme, praised the decision, suggesting it may stem from threats he made against Zuckerberg.

The implications of ending the programme extend beyond U.S. borders. Meta operates similar initiatives in over 100 countries, many of which are particularly vulnerable to the destabilizing effects of misinformation. The letter warned that discontinuing these efforts could lead to political instability, election interference, and even violence in some regions.

The FactCheckHub reported Meta’s plans to replace the fact-checking programme with a Community Notes feature similar to that used by X (formerly Twitter). However, critics argue that such a system, reliant on political consensus rather than evidence-based accuracy, may fall short of ensuring reliable information.

ALSO READ: 2023 Elections – Open Letter to all Nigerian politicians

The letter concluded with a call for increased investment in public service journalism and fact-checking to safeguard democratic discourse.

“Access to truth fuels freedom of speech,” the letter reads. “The decision to end Meta’s fact-checking programme is a step backward for an internet that prioritizes accurate and trustworthy information.”

Meta has not yet responded to the letter or addressed the broader concerns raised about the programme’s potential global impact.

False claims that El-Rufai defects to PDP circulate on X

Fatimah Quadri
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0
False claims that El-Rufai defects to PDP circulate on X

CLAIMS that Nasir El-Rufai, a former Governor of Kaduna State and key figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been circulating online, particularly on X.

The message claims El-Rufai received his PDP membership card at his polling unit in Sarki, Kaduna, portraying the alleged defection as a significant political development in the state.

El-Rufai, a prominent supporter of the current Nigerian president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was elected in the 2023 general elections, was previously shortlisted for a ministerial position by Tinubu but was ultimately disqualified during the Nigerian Senate screening process.

READ: Fact-checking multiple claims by El-Rufai at ministerial screening

The claim can be sighted here, and here

Due to El-Rufai’s substantial political clout in Kaduna State and across Nigeria, the claim has drawn considerable attention and sparked questions about its credibility, hence The FactCheckHub decided to examine the veracity of this claim.

 

CLAIM

Nasir El-Rufai has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

 

THE FINDINGS

Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE!

Screenshot of an appearance of the claim; Insert, FALSE verdict
Screenshot of an appearance of the claim; Insert, FALSE verdict

A Google search conducted using the keywords “El Rufai Decamps”  found no credible evidence from any reputable media outlets or verified sources to support the claim that Malam Nasir  El-Rufai has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Rather, it led our fact-checker to a post made by El-Rufai debunking the claim on his X handle. He dismissed the report as a “hoax” and urged the public to ignore the viral rumors.

ALSO READ: No, EFCC did not raid Bello El-Rufai’s residence

The post (also archived here) read:

“Please disregard the patent lies and rumours about my political affiliation. I have referred the lead peddlers of the fake news for further action by my lawyers.”

Credible media houses such as The Sun, and Channels TV also debunked the claim.

 

THE VERDICT

The claim that Nasir El-Rufai has defected to PDP is FALSE; as there were no credible media reports concerning the issue. Similarly, the former Kaduna governor and media reports also debunked the claim.

Mixed reactions as Meta ends fact-checking programme in US, embraces community notes

Fatimah Quadri
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0
Mixed reactions as Meta ends fact-checking programme in US, embraces community notes

META’s announcement on Tuesday that it will end its third-party fact-checking programme in the United States and transition to a user-driven Community Notes system has drawn mixed reactions from experts in the misinformation and disinformation fields globally.

The announcement made by Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, Joel Kaplan, in a statement on January 7, 2025, said the social media company will end its fact-checking programme with independent third parties starting with those in the United States of America (USA).

It also accused fact-checkers of having their own biases, noting that too much content ended up being fact-checked as a result – thus, its reason for deciding to end the programme.

Instead, it will pivot to a Community Notes model that uses crowdsourced fact-checking contributions from users, part of the statement reads.

READ: Meta tightens regulations to promote Nigeria’s 2023 election integrity

While the company argued that the new approach will empower users to contribute context and fight misinformation, critics express concern over the reliability and accuracy of crowdsourced fact-checking.

The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) director, Angie Holan, in a statement on X expressed concerns that this decision would negatively impact social media users seeking accurate and reliable information to make informed decisions in their daily lives and interactions with others.

She emphasized that fact-checking has never involved censoring or removing posts but has instead provided additional information and context to controversial claims, while also debunking hoaxes and conspiracy theories.

“The fact-checkers used by Meta follow a Code of Principles requiring nonpartisanship and transparency. It’s unfortunate that this decision comes in the wake of extreme political pressure from a new administration and its supporters.

“Fact-checkers have not been biased in their work — that attack line comes from those who feel they should be able to exaggerate and lie without rebuttal or contradiction,” Holan said.

Similarly, Tijana Cvjetićanin, a member of the IFCN advisory board, emphasized that this is the first time the fact-checking community has heard from Meta regarding any alleged issues with the objectivity and success of the programme.

“This decision was clearly not a result of actual issues with the programme, but of political pressures from the incoming Trump administration. Many of the key figures from Donald Trump’s orbit have actively supported the false narrative about fact-checking as political censorship,” she said.

Lois Ugbede, Assistant Editor at Dubawa, a West African independent fact-checking platform, acknowledged the potential impact of the change but stressed the importance of media literacy.

“Seeing this transition is shifting the power of gatekeepers or safeguards to app users, the best we can do is to ensure that the populace is media literate to make informed decisions and contributions to community notes.

“This way, we will have more objective and not subjective notes. We (fact-checkers) need to keep doing our work better and faster and also make it a point of duty to contribute to the community notes,” Ugbede stated.

Also reacting, Ross Burley, Co-founder of the Centre for Information Resilience (CIR), warned that the move could amplify harmful narratives.

“While efforts to protect free expression are vital, removing fact-checking without a credible alternative risks opening the floodgates to more harmful narratives. Fighting disinformation does not need to come at the cost of free speech.

“Platforms can and should strike a balance between free speech and public safety – this move, however, seems more about political appeasement than smart policy,” Burley opined.

DON’T MISS THIS: Meta may ease COVID-19 policies on misinformation

In addition, Rodriguez Katsuva, Co-founder of Congo Check, criticized the timing of the decision, particularly as deepfakes become more realistic. He expressed concern over increased disinformation and hate speech, especially in Africa.

The European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN) in a statement also responded to Meta CEO, Mark Zuckerberg’s claim that fact-checkers were politically biased, asserting that fact-checkers uphold the highest journalistic standards of impartiality, transparency, integrity, and accountability.

“Linking fact-checking with censorship is especially harmful as such false claims are already one of the driving forces behind harassment and attacks on fact-checkers. Furthering these claims can only exacerbate an already dire issue affecting fact-checkers across the world,” the EFCSN stated.

The Editorial Director of Fasocheck, Ange Levi Jordan Méda, noted that the shift to a community-driven fact-checking system on Meta platforms could harm credibility, as it is difficult to determine the quality of those evaluating content on Meta platforms including Facebook and Instagram.

“The necessary safeguards depend closely on Meta‘s willingness to take action. The most sensible approach would be for Meta to continue collaborating with fact-checking organisations.

“If this is not the case, the platform should rely on journalists or profiles that commit to maintaining objectivity in content rating, with the risk of banning or suspension for non-compliance. Journalists should engage with these communities to provide balance,” Méda pointed out.

While Meta’s Oversight Board, led by Nick Clegg, plans to review the implications of these changes, the board remains committed to balancing free speech with public safety.

Kaplan had earlier in the announcement, explained the shift, noting that the third-party fact-checking programme had become too complex with over-enforced rules. He explained further that the goal is now to allow for greater freedom of expression, with a focus on addressing high-severity violations like terrorism, child exploitation, and drug-related issues.

But Zuckerberg, in a video accompanying the statement, admitted that the changes were influenced by political events, including Donald Trump’s presidential election win. “Recent elections seem to mark a cultural turning point toward once again emphasizing free speech,” Zuckerberg said.

 

Editor’s Note:

* Added US in the headline and first paragraph.

Watch out for these disinformation trends in 2025!

Nurudeen Akewushola and Opeyemi Kehinde
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Watch out for these disinformation trends in 2025!

Disinformation has long plagued Nigeria’s information landscape, influencing public perception, deepening social divides, and undermining trust in both public and private institutions.

Its effects have been far-reaching, ranging from vaccine hesitancy fueled by vaccine hoaxes to election-related disinformation that erodes confidence in democracy among others. Over the years, state and non-state actors have deployed disinformation campaigns to exploit Nigeria’s vulnerabilities thus leading to low media literacy, heightening ethnic and religious tensions, and an increasing reliance on social media for news.

READ: Notable Nigerians caught spreading misinformation in 2024

As we enter 2025, these challenges are set to intensify, with emerging trends threatening to exacerbate existing issues while introducing new complexities. From the weaponization of artificial intelligence (AI) to the rise of influence-for-hire campaigns, the stakes are higher than ever.

The following consists of disinformation trends that may likely shape Nigeria’s socio-political, economic, and cultural landscape this year.

1. Vaccine hesitancy and herbal remedies to health problems

In Nigeria, false claims about vaccines, cures, and diseases will likely persist. Fake narratives about diseases like cholera, Lassa fever, or new COVID-19 variants could thrive in rural areas. Vaccine hesitancy fueled by rumors, particularly among vulnerable populations, will hinder public health campaigns. Unverified herbal remedies promoted as “miracle cures” by influencers and traditional leaders will continue to challenge public health efforts.

2. Changing climate

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing our world today, resulting from long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.

While these changes can occur naturally, such as through variations in solar activity or significant volcanic eruptions, the United Nations states that since the 1800s, human activities have been the primary driver of climate change. This is largely due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas, as well as widespread deforestation.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), climate misinformation refers to the spread of inaccurate information about climate change that can arise from human error, while climate disinformation is driven by a deliberate intent to spread knowingly false information. Regardless of intent, “scientifically misleading information” can have “negative implications for climate policy”,

Recall that the 2024 Global Risks Report by the World Economic Forum (WEForum) ranked misinformation and disinformation (on all topics) as the biggest short-term risk to human society, and extreme weather events as the top long-term risk, which implies that obscuring the facts about climate change can be extremely harmful. This is compounded by false information being significantly more likely to be reshared than the truth on social media platforms.

3. Anambra governorship poll

The Anambra state gubernatorial election is expected to hold on November 8, 2025. Like what we observed in Edo and Ondo off-cycle governorship elections, false claims about voter suppression, rigged elections, or fabricated results will be a major trend in the election.

Social media may amplify fake announcements of results, confusing voters and undermining trust in the electoral process. This, among others, is part of the election-related disinformation that Nigerians may have to grapple with, as such spreads faster from online to offline during election period.

4. Economic-related disinformation

As economic hardship persists in Nigeria due to rising inflation, among others, narratives about government programmes such as grain distribution (including rice), fuel subsidy palliative, job creation schemes or other palliative initiatives may likely increase in 2025.

Scams disguised as official initiatives targeting unemployed youth or rural dwellers will exploit economic hardship, further eroding trust in government efforts at reducing the hardship and increasing the purchasing power of the populace.

5. Rise of AI-generated disinformation

AI tools will be increasingly used to create hyper-realistic deepfakes, manipulated images, and fake audio. For example, fake videos of political leaders making controversial statements could circulate widely, especially during election.

DON’T MISS THIS: Some deep fakes, AI-generated contents to watch out

In a low-digital-literacy environment like Nigeria, people may find it difficult to distinguish real content from AI-generated visuals and audio, exacerbating mistrust and creating confusion.

6. Influence-for-hire campaigns

Paid influencers, bloggers and social media personalities might likely be lobbied and engaged to promote disinformation. Politicians, brands, and even foreign entities may hire these influencers to push propaganda, suppress dissent, or discredit opponents, as topical events unfold in the year.

For instance, in February 2024, The FactCheckHub published an analysis on a disinformation campaign orchestrated and launched online by some individuals aimed at pressurizing Nigerian authorities to reinstate the then suspended Humanitarian Affairs minister, Betta Edu. She was eventually sacked and replaced with Nentawe Yilwatda during a major cabinet reshuffle by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in October 2024.

In Nigeria’s highly polarized political climate, these campaigns may deepen divisions and skew public opinion.

7. Foreign interference and information manipulation

Foreign state and non-state actors may exploit Nigeria’s vulnerabilities by spreading disinformation to destabilize the country or achieve geo-political goals.

Similarly, foreign actors might amplify divisive narratives around insecurity, ethnic or religious conflicts to manipulate public perception. For instance, the recent case where the Nigerien military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, raised fresh terrorism allegations against the Nigerian government.

Tchiani, in an interview with Radio-Télévision du Niger, the country’s state media, had accused President Tinubu of conniving with France to destabilise Niger Republic. But the Nigerian government has countered the claims, saying they were baseless.

Other areas where foreign actors might target Nigerians with their false narratives include international aid, trade and bilateral agreements.

8. Silencing women and girl-child

Gendered disinformation is sometimes regarded as a subset of misogynistic abuse and violence against women that uses false or misleading gender and sex-based narratives, often with some degree of coordination, to deter women and girls from participating in public sphere.

ALSO READ: 15 Nigerian public figures targeted with misinformation in 2024

In 2025, actors may strategically use gendered disinformation to silence women, discourage them from online political discourse, and shape public perceptions toward gender and the role of women in democracies.

They may also target girl-child of school age from accessing education or young women from getting some kind of white or blue-collar jobs citing some ethno-religious beliefs, among others.

9. Ethno-religious and communal hostilities

Targeted false narratives about attacks on religious or ethnic communities may likely rise, particularly in conflict-prone Nigerian states such as Plateau, Kaduna and Benue. Such disinformation campaigns could stoke communal and national tensions, incite violence, and derail peace-building efforts.

The FactCheckHub has over the years observed that foreign actors also get involved in spreading disinformation campaigns during hostilities either between farmers and herders, settlers and indigenes, and Hausa Vs Igbos or Yoruba etc.

10. Conflict-related coordinated campaigns

Nigeria is battling with various forms insecurity ranging from banditry, terrorism and kidnapping for ransom, among others. It is pertinent to note that these challenges have persisted over the years.

But this year, coordinated false campaigns about kidnappings, communal clashes, terrorist and separatist activities may continue to circulate, particularly online and offline in volatile regions like the Southeastern, Northeastern and Northwestern regions of Nigeria.

These exaggerated or false narratives could cause unnecessary fear, displacement, and even overburden the security agencies, as the Nigerian government vows to tackle these insecurities in 2025.

 

EDITOR’S NOTE:

* Part of sub-heading for item number 7 was changed from influence to interference.

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