Fact-checkers debunk viral online fakes targeting German politics and elections
Correctiv debunked two viral fakes targeting German politics, including an AI-generated newspaper article on intelligence services and a video falsely claiming election fraud against the AfD.
German fact-checking organization Correctiv has debunked two viral disinformation campaigns shared on social media ahead of regional state elections.
The first debunked post involved an image mimicking a legitimate newspaper report, shared by right-wing influencers and politicians from the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Correctiv confirmed the image was an artificial intelligence creation claiming to show new search powers for the federal domestic intelligence service.
The second piece of disinformation featured a video alleging voter fraud through the destruction of postal ballots cast for the AfD. Correctiv verified that the clip actually displayed falsified mail-in ballot materials rather than destroyed valid election votes. Both fact-checks highlight an ongoing trend of manipulated media targeting German democratic processes.
Sources: Correctiv