Antidote to misinformation: Key stories from Asia Fact Check Lab

[ad_1] Lately, the unchecked unfold of on-line misinformation – fueled by geopolitical tensions, algorithm-driven echo chambers, and state-sponsored propaganda – has posed rising dangers to public belief and world stability. Towards this backdrop, fact-checking journalism has grow to be extra very important than ever.

On the forefront of this effort has been Asia Truth Examine Lab, dedicated to uncovering and difficult falsehoods throughout the area and past.

From exposing Chinese language affect operations in Taiwan and neighboring nations, to investigating disinformation round Xinjiang, Tibet, pure disasters, COVID-19, and even North Korea’s navy ties with Russia, AFCL has labored to carry energy to account and inform the general public with readability and rigor.

<img data-chromatic="ignore" alt="A couple stands near a giant propaganda slogan which reads “One Country, Two Systems, Unify China”, which can be seen from Taiwan’s Kinmen Island, on a sidewalk on the waterfront in Xiamen, in China’s southeast Fujian province on Jan. 10, 2024." class="c-image" loading="lazy" src="https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/UF6OZRSFVRBFPK7WAR6IAO2DUY.jpg?auth=db3b386f2541d8e0e727ff6bb284fcdf53d7617d42c940840aba08dc0fe9ba5d&width=800&height=532" srcset="https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/UF6OZRSFVRBFPK7WAR6IAO2DUY.jpg?auth=db3b386f2541d8e0e727ff6bb284fcdf53d7617d42c940840aba08dc0fe9ba5d&width=274&height=182 274w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/UF6OZRSFVRBFPK7WAR6IAO2DUY.jpg?auth=db3b386f2541d8e0e727ff6bb284fcdf53d7617d42c940840aba08dc0fe9ba5d&width=400&height=266 400w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/UF6OZRSFVRBFPK7WAR6IAO2DUY.jpg?auth=db3b386f2541d8e0e727ff6bb284fcdf53d7617d42c940840aba08dc0fe9ba5d&width=768&height=510 768w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/UF6OZRSFVRBFPK7WAR6IAO2DUY.jpg?auth=db3b386f2541d8e0e727ff6bb284fcdf53d7617d42c940840aba08dc0fe9ba5d&width=1024&height=680 1024w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/UF6OZRSFVRBFPK7WAR6IAO2DUY.jpg?auth=db3b386f2541d8e0e727ff6bb284fcdf53d7617d42c940840aba08dc0fe9ba5d&width=1440&height=957 1440w" width="800" height="532"/> afcl-key-stories_05232025_1 A pair stands close to an enormous propaganda slogan which reads “One Nation, Two Methods, Unify China”, which will be seen from Taiwan’s Kinmen Island, on a sidewalk on the waterfront in Xiamen, in China’s southeast Fujian province on Jan. 10, 2024. (Greg Baker/AFP) Chinese language affect marketing campaign in opposition to Taiwan “Cross-Strait Shadows: Contained in the Chinese language Affect Marketing campaign Towards Taiwan” is a three-part investigative sequence by AFCL exposing Beijing’s covert efforts to form public opinion on the self-governed island.

Half I reveals how a pretend opinion ballot, tied to actors linked with China, was used to spice up opposition candidates forward of Taiwan’s 2024 election.

Half II investigates a pro-unification Taiwanese media determine secretly paid by China’s Fujian media group to assault pro-independence voices.

Half III uncovers how the Chinese language state-run present “Taiwan’s Voice” companions with native broadcasters to subtly push Beijing’s narratives into Taiwan’s media panorama.

Collectively, the sequence highlights the Chinese language Communist Social gathering’s increasing and more and more subtle affect operations throughout Taiwan’s democratic establishments.

<img data-chromatic="ignore" alt="A view of a watchtower of an alleged detention facility in Artux in Kizilsu Prefecture in China's northwestern Xinjiang region on July 19, 2023." class="c-image" loading="lazy" src="https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/YB7YX5ZDE5ET7AUO3FFU32VXGI.jpg?auth=404ce8d8905262c9bb2228a692a42c8f196f13ba2d3f32344cc0ba215b361e5e&width=800&height=533" srcset="https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/YB7YX5ZDE5ET7AUO3FFU32VXGI.jpg?auth=404ce8d8905262c9bb2228a692a42c8f196f13ba2d3f32344cc0ba215b361e5e&width=274&height=182 274w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/YB7YX5ZDE5ET7AUO3FFU32VXGI.jpg?auth=404ce8d8905262c9bb2228a692a42c8f196f13ba2d3f32344cc0ba215b361e5e&width=400&height=266 400w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/YB7YX5ZDE5ET7AUO3FFU32VXGI.jpg?auth=404ce8d8905262c9bb2228a692a42c8f196f13ba2d3f32344cc0ba215b361e5e&width=768&height=511 768w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/YB7YX5ZDE5ET7AUO3FFU32VXGI.jpg?auth=404ce8d8905262c9bb2228a692a42c8f196f13ba2d3f32344cc0ba215b361e5e&width=1024&height=682 1024w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/YB7YX5ZDE5ET7AUO3FFU32VXGI.jpg?auth=404ce8d8905262c9bb2228a692a42c8f196f13ba2d3f32344cc0ba215b361e5e&width=1440&height=959 1440w" width="800" height="533"/> afcl-key-stories_05232025_2 A view of a watchtower of an alleged detention facility in Artux in Kizilsu Prefecture in China's northwestern Xinjiang area on July 19, 2023. (Pedro Pardo/AFP) Unpacking Beijing’s world PR offensive on Xinjiang, Tibet AFCL has intently tracked Beijing’s makes an attempt to reshape world perceptions of its insurance policies in Xinjiang and Tibet.

One investigation revealed how Taiwanese YouTubers, after state-sponsored visits to Xinjiang, produced content material echoing Beijing’s narrative – later amplified by Chinese language state media to downplay rights abuses. One other report debunked a Chinese language TV section that falsely claimed a Stanford examine supported China’s place on Western disinformation, when the examine stated no such factor.

In Tibet, AFCL challenged official Chinese language claims that just about all Tibetans communicate their native language. Investigations revealed {that a} important variety of Tibetans, particularly in areas like Qinghai and Sichuan, have misplaced proficiency of their ancestral tongue. This decline is attributed to insurance policies that favor Mandarin over Tibetan in training and public life, resulting in considerations about cultural assimilation.

<img data-chromatic="ignore" alt="People look at the Rodong Sinmun newspaper showing the news on the visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin, in the Kaeson Station of the Pyongyang Metro in Pyongyang on June 20, 2024." class="c-image" loading="lazy" src="https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/HM43LJ5YHZCFXD4VL6FX57UCG4.jpg?auth=150408dcd9068e2e2c3c1dd11918be923075b1362904ecd4ead810bc9b479d73&width=800&height=532" srcset="https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/HM43LJ5YHZCFXD4VL6FX57UCG4.jpg?auth=150408dcd9068e2e2c3c1dd11918be923075b1362904ecd4ead810bc9b479d73&width=274&height=182 274w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/HM43LJ5YHZCFXD4VL6FX57UCG4.jpg?auth=150408dcd9068e2e2c3c1dd11918be923075b1362904ecd4ead810bc9b479d73&width=400&height=266 400w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/HM43LJ5YHZCFXD4VL6FX57UCG4.jpg?auth=150408dcd9068e2e2c3c1dd11918be923075b1362904ecd4ead810bc9b479d73&width=768&height=510 768w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/HM43LJ5YHZCFXD4VL6FX57UCG4.jpg?auth=150408dcd9068e2e2c3c1dd11918be923075b1362904ecd4ead810bc9b479d73&width=1024&height=680 1024w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/HM43LJ5YHZCFXD4VL6FX57UCG4.jpg?auth=150408dcd9068e2e2c3c1dd11918be923075b1362904ecd4ead810bc9b479d73&width=1440&height=957 1440w" width="800" height="532"/> afcl-key-stories_05232025_3 Individuals have a look at the Rodong Sinmun newspaper displaying the information on the go to by Russian President Vladimir Putin, within the Kaeson Station of the Pyongyang Metro in Pyongyang on June 20, 2024. (Kim Received Jin/AFP) Past China, Asia Whereas a lot of AFCL’s work has targeted on Chinese language disinformation, its investigations lengthen nicely past China and Taiwan.

The workforce has additionally tackled false narratives involving North Korea, together with claims tied to Pyongyang’s navy involvement in Russia’s warfare on Ukraine.

In a single case, a viral video supposedly displaying a state funeral for a North Korean basic killed in Ukraine was confirmed to be repurposed footage from 2015. In one other, deceptive content material circulating on Chinese language platforms falsely portrayed heightened inter-Korean navy tensions, utilizing outdated or unrelated imagery.

AFCL has additionally broadened its investigative work past Asia to sort out misinformation circulating globally – most notably across the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the place false narratives gained traction in Chinese language-language media.

One report refuted viral claims that Donald Trump’s 34 felony convictions have been dropped following his re-election, confirming that authorized proceedings are nonetheless ongoing. AFCL additionally recognized a doctored picture, extensively shared to magnify crowd dimension at a Trump rally, as originating from a 2020 live performance.

<img data-chromatic="ignore" alt="People take bath in the Irrawaddy River in front of the collapsed Ava Bridge, also known as the Inwa Bridge, in Mandalay on April 13, 2025, days after an earthquake struck central Myanmar." class="c-image" loading="lazy" src="https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/K37LWJXZZZHM3F3DKNAINLWHAY.jpg?auth=a3b263d93c33f3aa5156cf05456424c32e90e0b717280c16f86c9977738365c2&width=800&height=533" srcset="https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/K37LWJXZZZHM3F3DKNAINLWHAY.jpg?auth=a3b263d93c33f3aa5156cf05456424c32e90e0b717280c16f86c9977738365c2&width=274&height=182 274w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/K37LWJXZZZHM3F3DKNAINLWHAY.jpg?auth=a3b263d93c33f3aa5156cf05456424c32e90e0b717280c16f86c9977738365c2&width=400&height=266 400w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/K37LWJXZZZHM3F3DKNAINLWHAY.jpg?auth=a3b263d93c33f3aa5156cf05456424c32e90e0b717280c16f86c9977738365c2&width=768&height=511 768w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/K37LWJXZZZHM3F3DKNAINLWHAY.jpg?auth=a3b263d93c33f3aa5156cf05456424c32e90e0b717280c16f86c9977738365c2&width=1024&height=682 1024w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/K37LWJXZZZHM3F3DKNAINLWHAY.jpg?auth=a3b263d93c33f3aa5156cf05456424c32e90e0b717280c16f86c9977738365c2&width=1440&height=959 1440w" width="800" height="533"/> afcl-key-stories_05232025_4 Individuals take tub within the Irrawaddy River in entrance of the collapsed Ava Bridge, often known as the Inwa Bridge, in Mandalay on April 13, 2025, days after an earthquake struck central Myanmar. (Sai Aung Essential/AFP) Pure disasters and incidents Pure disasters and main incidents usually spark a wave of on-line misinformation, with AI-generated photographs, misattributed footage, and baseless rumors spreading quickly.

AFCL has performed a key function in debunking such viral falsehoods. After Myanmar’s devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake in March 2025, as an illustration, AFCL uncovered a extensively shared video as AI-generated fakery.

When a Delta flight crashed in Toronto, the workforce refuted claims that the pilot was unqualified, confirming each crew members have been totally licensed.

And through the California wildfires, AFCL dismantled hoaxes displaying the Hollywood signal ablaze – photographs that have been fabricated or generated by AI. These investigations spotlight the essential want for fact-checking throughout crises, when deceptive content material can gas panic and obscure the reality.

<img data-chromatic="ignore" alt="A medical worker in protective suit attends to a patient in an isolated ward of a hospital in Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Hubei province, China, Feb. 22, 2020." class="c-image" loading="lazy" src="https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/IMCJCPR4IJDWRB4HUBFWB37YGQ.JPG?auth=19804ad9c9cf5084b5fa3219c60b3c1249a24dfc24e5d079b025cd7fa29938b3&width=800&height=533" srcset="https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/IMCJCPR4IJDWRB4HUBFWB37YGQ.JPG?auth=19804ad9c9cf5084b5fa3219c60b3c1249a24dfc24e5d079b025cd7fa29938b3&width=274&height=182 274w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/IMCJCPR4IJDWRB4HUBFWB37YGQ.JPG?auth=19804ad9c9cf5084b5fa3219c60b3c1249a24dfc24e5d079b025cd7fa29938b3&width=400&height=266 400w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/IMCJCPR4IJDWRB4HUBFWB37YGQ.JPG?auth=19804ad9c9cf5084b5fa3219c60b3c1249a24dfc24e5d079b025cd7fa29938b3&width=768&height=511 768w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/IMCJCPR4IJDWRB4HUBFWB37YGQ.JPG?auth=19804ad9c9cf5084b5fa3219c60b3c1249a24dfc24e5d079b025cd7fa29938b3&width=1024&height=682 1024w, https://www.rfa.org/resizer/v2/IMCJCPR4IJDWRB4HUBFWB37YGQ.JPG?auth=19804ad9c9cf5084b5fa3219c60b3c1249a24dfc24e5d079b025cd7fa29938b3&width=1440&height=959 1440w" width="800" height="533"/> Medical employee in protecting go well with attends to a affected person in an remoted ward of a hospital in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak A medical employee in protecting go well with attends to a affected person in an remoted ward of a hospital in Wuhan, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, Hubei province, China, Feb. 22, 2020. (China Each day through Reuters) COVID-19 Misinformation surrounding COVID-19 proved to be one of the vital harmful types of disinformation in latest historical past, fuelling confusion, undermining public well being efforts, and costing lives.

From false narratives about vaccine security to manipulated reviews on outbreaks and authorities responses, the pandemic created a fertile floor for viral falsehoods. AFCL performed a significant function in countering these claims.

In late 2024, AFCL debunked a extensively shared picture that falsely confirmed overcrowded hospitals in China amid a supposed new wave of infections – the photograph was, in truth, from early 2023. AFCL additionally uncovered baseless rumours {that a} Pfizer government had died from COVID-19, clarifying the person had no ties to the corporate. After a lethal house fireplace in Urumqi, Xinjiang, AFCL raised doubts about Chinese language officers’ denials that COVID lockdowns delayed rescue efforts.

Edited by Taejun Kang and Mike Firn.

Asia Truth Examine Lab (AFCL) was established to counter disinformation in as we speak’s advanced media setting. We publish fact-checks, media-watches and in-depth reviews that purpose to sharpen and deepen our readers’ understanding of present affairs and public points. For those who like our content material, you may also comply with us on Fb, Instagram and X.