ABP reporter caught spreading fake news on social media, says was "experimenting"
New Delhi: In the midst of escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine, Abhishek Upadhyay, Political Editor of the ABP Network, shared a video on X claiming that "Hamas terrorists had built a tunnel under Al-Shifa Hospital and stored a cache of weapons." Fact-checker and co-founder of Alt News, Mohammed Zubair, quickly debunked Upadhyay's claims, revealing that the video in question dated back to August and did not involve Hamas.
Upadhyay, in his post on X, attached the old video, stating, "At last, Israel has launched its biggest ground operation inside Gaza. Israeli troops have reached Gaza's main Al Shifa hospital. It is reported that Hamas terrorists had built a tunnel here and stored a cache of weapons. Watch this video and understand the real story of Hamas using places like residential buildings and hospitals for terrorism.
Also, understand that speeches and rallies are given in India in support of this very Hamas. And the people who raise the voice of revolution day and night in favor of Gaza maintain a deliberate but mysterious silence in the name of Hamas!"
Responding to Upadhyay's post, Zubair clarified on X, saying, "Hello 'Journalist' @upadhyayabhii, This video of ‘Hamas Tunnels’ is from August. Also, this isn’t Hamas. Stop relying on WhatsApp forwards."
In a subsequent post, Upadhyay defended himself, claiming that he was conducting an experiment to reveal Hamas supporters hiding behind the guise of intellectuals. He stated, "Hello ‘Fact checker’ @zoo_bear, this video was posted only for an experiment so that the Hamas supporters hiding behind the skin of intellectuals would come out in the open. The arrow is exactly on target. Thanks for completing the mission. Such experiments will continue to happen in the future also. Please keep joining."
Netizens widely criticized Upadhyay's dissemination of false information. This is not the first time he has faced criticism; previously, Upadhyay was accused of intentionally showing floods in Delhi, whereas the road beside where he was reporting had no water. The water flooding occurred at an underpass.
आख़िरकार इज़राइल ने ग़ाज़ा के भीतर ग्राउंड ऑपरेशन का सबसे बड़ा आग़ाज़ कर दिया है।
— abhishek upadhyay (@upadhyayabhii) November 13, 2023
इज़राइल की फ़ौज गाज़ा के मेन अल शिफ़ा हॉस्पिटल पहुँच चुकी है।
ख़बर है कि हमास के आतंकियों ने यहाँ भी टनल बनाकर हथियारों का ज़ख़ीरा जमा कर रखा था।
इस वीडियो को देखिए और रिहायशी इमारतों व अस्पताल… pic.twitter.com/LpkdbmG2H7
Hello 'Journalist' @upadhyayabhii,
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) November 13, 2023
This Video Of ‘Hamas Tunnels’ Is from August. Also, This isn’t Hamas. Stop relying on WhatsApp forwards. https://t.co/jEd5IJjne2 pic.twitter.com/k689LON24k
Hello “Fact checker” @zoo_bear
— abhishek upadhyay (@upadhyayabhii) November 14, 2023
ये वीडियो सिर्फ़ एक एक्सपेरिमेंट के लिए डाला था ताकि इंटेलेक्चुअल की खाल में छुपकर बैठे हमास समर्थक खुलकर सामने आ जाएँ।
तीर एकदम निशाने पर लगा है।
मिशन को पूरा करने के लिए धन्यवाद।
आगे भी इस तरह के एक्सपेरिमेंट होते रहेंगे। Please keep joining… https://t.co/z8JLVGGDz1
"ये वीडियो सिर्फ़ एक एक्सपेरिमेंट के लिए डाला था" 🤡🤡pic.twitter.com/jz5h2XMN9h https://t.co/ks7bnlBvfh
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) November 14, 2023
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bill to regulate deepfakes tabled in Lok Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): A Private Member's Bill seeking a clear legal framework for regulation of deepfakes has been introduced in the Lok Sabha.
The Regulation of Deepfake Bill, introduced by Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde in the House on Friday, aims to protect citizens by mandating prior consent from individuals depicted in deepfake content.
"Misuse of deepfakes for harassment, deception and misinformation has escalated, creating an urgent need for regulatory safeguards," Shinde said.
The Bill also lists penalties for offenders creating or disseminating deepfake content with malicious intent.
"With advancements in artificial intelligence and deep learning, deepfake technology has emerged as a significant tool for media manipulation. While the technology has potential applications in education, entertainment and creative fields, it also poses severe risks when misused, threatening individual privacy, national security and public trust," Shinde said in the statement of objects and reasons in the Bill.
The proposed Bill seeks to establish a clear legal framework to govern the creation, distribution and application of deepfakes in India, said Shinde, a three-term Lok Sabha member from Kalyan.
The Bill also seeks to establish the Deepfake Task Force, a dedicated body to combat national security implications and evaluate the influence of deepfakes on privacy, civic participation, and potential election interference.
The task force will collaborate with academic and private sector institutions to develop technologies that detect manipulated content, thereby promoting credibility in digital media.
The Bill also proposes to establish a fund to support public and private sector initiatives in the detection and deterrence of advanced image manipulation.
A Private Member's Bill is a procedure of Parliament that enables lawmakers, who are not ministers, to draw attention to issues that might not be represented in Government Bills or to highlight the issues and gaps in the existing legal framework that require legislative intervention.
