An image of a TV which is tuned into Aaj Tak has gone viral. The image shows a grim-looking Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan with the Hindi text suggesting that Khan’s wife and his driver have been tested positive for coronavirus. The viral image also stated that Khan’s coronavirus test result was negative.
Indore-based BJP member Gaurav Tiwari tweeted the viral image and inquired if the news is true or not. He asked, “Imran Negative?” This has been retweeted over 600 times. (archive link)
Similarly, Twitter user @seriousfunnyguy also posted the viral image. This user addressed Khan’s wife as Begum and highlighted that Begam and the driver got infected. This was retweeted over 500 times. Readers should note this account is followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has over 64,000 followers. (archive link)
Alt News has received several requests to fact-check this on WhatsApp (+91 76000 11160) and on our official Android application.
Morphed graphic
At first glance, Alt News noticed the following inconsistencies in the viral image which indicates that it is morphed:
- Aaj Tak logo on the top right is blurred
- Image of Pakistan PM Imran Khan isn’t aligned
- The first two alphabets of the phrase ‘Breaking News’ on the top left corner are cropped
We compared the viral screenshot from an April 11 bulletin of Aaj Tak on YouTube to show the descrepencies.
India Today director Rahul Kanwal also clarified that the viral image is fake.
— Rahul Kanwal (@rahulkanwal) April 11, 2020
Furthermore, Pakistan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Faisal Javed Khan tweeted and clarified, “News regarding PM Imran Khan tested positive for #Covid19 is NOT True. Please refrain from spreading Fake News.”
News regarding PM Imran Khan tested positive for #Covid19 is NOT True. Please refrain from spreading Fake News. Arise TV please correct.
May ALLAH keep everyone safe.
Prayers 🙏— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) March 27, 2020
Therefore the claims made in the viral image are false. In the past few weeks, several such screenshots have been circulated to spread misinformation. On April 3, Alt News reported how India Today graphic was morphed with false claims that PM Modi has extended the coronavirus lockdown till May 4.
Independent journalism that speaks truth to power and is free of corporate and political control is possible only when people start contributing towards the same. Please consider donating towards this endeavour to fight fake news and misinformation.
