As COVID-19 spreads across the globe claiming 95,718 lives, another distressing trend is being seen on social media. Fake news, rumours, and misinformation are being circulated through WhatsApp forwards and false tweets.
One such example is a viral video going around claiming that the Health Minister of Sudan dozed off during a live TV interview while being questioned about the coronavirus. It has been shared by journalists and media websites as well.
No way!!!
😄😄😂😂🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/qW4Mgqb157— Geeta Mohan گیتا موہن गीता मोहन (@Geeta_Mohan) April 9, 2020
However, if we listen to the interviewer closely, we’ll realize that the interviewer calls him Malek Taha and NOT Dr. Akram Ali Altom (or Eltom) who is the Sudanese Health Minister.
SPOT CHECK: Is this Sudan’s Health Minister sleeping during a TV interview?
Fake.
That was reporter Malek Taha being interviewed on Hadath TV.
And the interview is from March 2019 (https://t.co/a37S5lklIB)Sudan’s Health Min. is Dr Akram Ali Eltom, pictured right pic.twitter.com/nOdFZOVPpW
— Zim Fact (@ZimFact) April 9, 2020
This video is actually from March 2019 where Malek Taha (Al-Sudan Al-Youm’s Editor-in-Chief) is being interviewed by Al-Hadath TV.
And this is Dr. Altom.
This week at the #EMRC66 @iaeaorg met with the Minister of Health of #Sudan, Akram Ali Altom, to discuss IAEA support for enhanced #cervicalcancer care.#CancerCare4All #Atoms4life pic.twitter.com/k6MxJtRuCK
— IAEA TC (@IAEATC) October 16, 2019
It is always a good idea to be cautious of unverified reports and cross-check their authenticity through multiple credible sources. Sharing fake news creates an environment of fear which is not what the world needs right now.
Stay aware, stay safe!