Viral TIME Magazine Cover on Lebanon is Fake
The Claim
Time magazine published a cover saying “Lebanon is a country owned by the mafia.”
News posted on
Emerging story
A screenshot of Lebanon on the cover of TIME magazine is circulating online. Users claim that TIME reported that Lebanon is controlled by the mafia.
Misbar’s Analysis
MENA: Misbar found that the claim is false.
First, a careful examination of the magazine cover in question shows it carries no date of publication. This is unusual since all TIME magazine editions have a date stamp on them, as the copy below indicates.
Second, a check through TIME magazine’s various editions shows no such edition exists within the past two years. Although the magazine has published multiple editions centered around Lebanon, none carries the image used in the circulating cover.
A search for the image used in the cover shows that it is that of the city of Beirut, Lebanon’s capital and seat of power. It has been used in various articles such as this one titled, “5 Great Attractions You Must See In Lebanon,” and on Pinterest; but it has never been used in a TIME magazine cover.
Finally, a search on the internet for the headline turns up no article from TIME magazine, making it evident that the cover is fabricated.
