Investigation Reveals Misinformation in TikTok Video About Addis Ababa Earthquake
A TikTok video claiming to show an earthquake in Addis Ababa in October 2024 is PARTLY FALSE, as it actually features footage from a 2022 earthquake in Fukushima, Japan. Reports confirmed a recent low-magnitude earthquake in Addis Ababa, but the video in question has been misrepresented, exemplifying the challenges of misinformation on social media.
The TikTok video purportedly displaying an earthquake in Addis Ababa in October 2024 has been classified as PARTLY FALSE by PesaCheck. While reports confirmed a low-magnitude earthquake in Addis Ababa on October 6, 2024, which was felt in numerous areas such as Meskel Square and Kazanchis, the video in question has been revealed to be from an entirely different incident. A reverse image search indicated that this footage had originally appeared online in 2022, when it was published by Cadena Ser in relation to a 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Fukushima, Japan. This discrepancy suggests that the video is being misused to misrepresent current events in Addis Ababa. PesaCheck continues to tackle misinformation on social media, aiming to clarify and fact-check dubious claims circulating online.
Misinformation on social media platforms has emerged as a significant problem, particularly regarding critical events such as natural disasters. Fact-checking organizations, such as PesaCheck, play a vital role in distinguishing fact from fiction, especially when alarming claims are disseminated widely. The instance involving the TikTok video regarding the alleged earthquake in Addis Ababa illustrates the ongoing challenges these organizations face in addressing the manipulation of content for misleading narratives. Local fact-checking efforts are crucial in maintaining the integrity of information in the public domain, serving to educate users about discernment in information consumption.
In conclusion, while an earthquake did occur in Addis Ababa on October 6, 2024, the associated video circulating on social media is not representative of that event but rather derives from a separate incident in Japan from 2022. The need for critical evaluation of information, particularly in the context of social media, underscores the essential work being done by fact-checkers to verify claims and combat misinformation.
Original Source: pesacheck.org
