The Latest Fact Checks from the International Fact Checking Network (IFCN) 03/02/2020

The code of principles of the International Fact-Checking Network IFCN at Poynter is a series of commitments organizations abide by to promote excellence in fact-checking. The following fact checks come from IFCN fact checkers. (D. Van Zandt)

Claim on Social Media: Does the United States spend $900 billion on welfare for undocumented immigrants – money that could go toward funding veteran programs?

Lead Stories rating: False

Fact Check: The United States Does NOT Spend $900 Billion On Welfare For “Illegals”

Claim by NewsPunch.com: “Stacey Abrams Boasts Dems Can ‘Jerry-Rig System’ and ‘Go Around Constitution’ To Win 2020 Election.”

FactCheck.org rating: Misleading

Story Misrepresents Abrams’ Remarks on Electoral College

Claim by Facebook posts: “Violent crime in South Bend doubled during Mayor Pete’s tenure.”

PolitiFact rating: Mostly False

Violent crime in South Bend did not double during Pete Buttigieg’s time as mayor

Claim by Joe Biden: “First of all, what we’re doing is immoral. I know that’s not a phrase they often use in politics, but it’s immoral. Look what he’s doing right — look what this president’s doing right now. Look what people have done before. They’re going to fingerprint food stamp recipients.”

Washington Post rating: False

Analysis | Biden falsely attacks Trump over a food stamp policy supported by Bloomberg

Claim by Rush Limbaugh: “The coronavirus is the common cold, folks.”

PolitiFact rating: False

Fact-checking Rush Limbaugh’s misleading claim that the new coronavirus is “the common cold”

International Fact Checks

Claim by Facebook posts: Viral photo shows a burqa-clad woman holding a placard voicing support for a burqa ban in Sri Lanka.

BOOM FACT Check rating: False

Did A Woman In Sri Lanka Hold A Placard In Support Of A Burqa Ban?

Claim by News Nigeria: Illness eating this boy’s skull

AFP Fact Check rating: False

This boy underwent surgery in 2014 to reshape his head — no illness was eating his skull

Claim by Social Media users: New Facebook policy gives the platform unrestricted access to user content.

BOOM FACT Check rating: False

Facebook Labels ‘Full Access’ User Content Policy Rumours As ‘Scam’

Disclaimer: We are providing links to fact checks by the IFCN. If you do not agree with a fact check, please directly contact the source of that fact check

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