February 2023 was an eventful month full of natural disasters, conspiracy theories, and many other incidents.
Although it was the shortest month of the year, it witnessed several events.
Misinformation and disinformation frequently accompany important universal news and events.
In this blog, Misbar presents the most important topics that triggered misinformation in February 2023.
Pakistan Mosque Blast
A suicide bomber in Pakistan's Peshawar targeted a mosque, decimating it with at least 100 casualties and over 217 injuries. According to the authorities, the suicide bomber may have utilized 12 kg of explosives.
Social media users shared misleading photos and videos purporting to show the suicide bombing at the mosque.
Misbar’s team debunked the incident-related misinformation.
UFOs and the "Spy Balloon"
The month of February witnessed a great deal of sensationalism and misinformation around "spy balloons" and UFOs.
In general, people tend to attribute extraterrestrial explanations to every observed flying object or unidentified aerial event.
In the wake of recent reports of three unidentified flying objects (UFOs) being shot down over North America, bogus claims and videos have gained widespread popularity on social media.
Misbar was able to refute many claims and videos regarding the UFOs and prove their authenticity.
Why Is Misinformation Viral During Natural Disasters?
Misinformation is usually rampant during natural disasters for several reasons.
First, during natural disasters, individuals are frequently in a state of panic, which makes them more prone to receiving false information.
Moreover, some people might purposefully disseminate misleading information to cause dissent or manipulate decision-making.
Last but not least, certain social media pages and accounts rely on tense situations to attract attention and expand their followings.
In a blog, Misbar listed many forms of misinformation during natural disasters and tips for users to avoid manipulation.
Turkey-Syria Earthquake
The majority of February 2023's false information subjects were related to natural disasters, particularly earthquakes.
Misbar’s team thoroughly worked on debunking misinformation during the earthquakes that hit Turkey and Syria between February 6 and February 20 that claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people.
There are multiple examples of false information around the earthquake in Turkey and Syria in 2023.
Following the earthquakes, social media users began spreading false and out-of-date videos of tsunamis and floods from other countries, attributing them to Turkey and Syria.
In addition, a lot of false videos that claimed to capture the moment the earthquakes struck the two countries went viral.
Moreover, viral videos were shared on social media, alleging to show nuclear plant explosions in Turkey after the earthquakes.
Also, many misleading photos and video clips shared online claim to depict rescue operations during the earthquakes.
Furthermore, misinformation about robbers and sending aid convoys to the two affected countries accompanied the earthquakes.
Last but not least, conspiracy theories are likely to be shared by netizens who accuse the natural disasters of being man-made.
For instance, internet users have shared images purporting to show a "HAARP-made cloud over Turkey just before the earthquake."
Misbar has debunked the claim in a blog.
Misbar also refuted several videos and photos showing strange light in the sky ahead of the earthquake.
Tajikistan Earthquake
After the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, misinformation about earthquakes continued.
On February 23, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck a sparsely populated, rural area of Tajikistan early on February 23 near China's far western Xinjiang region.
Misbar was able to refute numerous videos that had been circulated regarding the earthquake in Tajikistan.
Several social media users also circulated videos showing the Turkey earthquake, confusing it with the Tajikistan earthquake.
Japan Earthquake
Before February came to an end, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the eastern coast of the Japanese island of Hokkaido on February 25.
Similar to what happened after previous earthquakes, people on social media shared false videos and photos that claimed to depict the earthquake that struck Japan.
Misbar’s Educational Blogs
Misbar’s work was not confined to debunking misinformation, but it released many informative blogs during February 2023.
Misbar’s mission to bring you the truth and nothing but the truth was accomplished in February 2023, and it will actively fight misinformation in the coming months.
