The Latest Fact Checks curated by Media Bias Fact Check 10/17/2023

Media Bias Fact Check selects and publishes fact checks from around the world. We only utilize fact-checkers who are either a signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) or have been verified as credible by MBFC. Further, we review each fact check for accuracy before publishing. We fact-check the fact-checkers and let you know their bias. When appropriate, we explain the rating and/or offer our own rating if we disagree with the fact-checker. (D. Van Zandt)

Claim Codes: Red = Fact Check on a Right Claim, Blue = Fact Check on a Left Claim, Black = Not Political/Conspiracy/Pseudoscience/Other

Fact Checker bias rating Codes: Red = Right-Leaning, Green = Least Biased, Blue = Left-Leaning, Black = Unrated by MBFC

TRUE	Claim via Social Media: A video shared on various platforms in Oct. 2023, authentically depicted tourists watching a volcano erupt in Iceland. Snopes.com rating: True (It is real, but from 2021.) Authentic Video of Tourists Watching a Volcano Erupt in Iceland?
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social media: Romney, Pelosi’s sons under investigation for deals with Ukrainian company. USA Today rating: False (There is no evidence that Tagg Romney or Paul Pelosi Jr. are connected to the Ukrainian energy company Burisma at all. And, accordingly, there is no evidence of any criminal investigation along those lines.) No evidence of criminal probe into Romney, Pelosi’s sons \| Fact check
MISLEADING	Claim by Retired Nurse John Campbell: There is more excess mortality in countries with higher level of COVID-19 vaccination Health Feedback rating: Misleading (The claim is based on correlating 2023 excess mortality and COVID-19 vaccine coverage in handpicked countries. However, if we look at all countries for the entire period since COVID-19 vaccines were rolled out, we see that countries with higher vaccine coverage had lower excess mortality overall.) COVID-19 vaccines aren’t associated with an increase in excess deaths, contrary to claim by John Campbell
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: Bill Gates mRNA ‘Air Vaccine’ Approved for Use Against Non-Consenting Humans. FactCheck.org rating: False (Inhalable or spray versions of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are still in development and don’t have regulatory approval. Also has nothing to do with Bill Gates.) Posts Falsely Push Bill Gates-Connected ‘Air’ Vaccine Conspiracy
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: “Pentagon releases NASA footage of 2,000 mile long UFO near Saturn.” PolitiFact rating: False (No, they did not.) No, the Pentagon didn’t release footage of a gigantic UFO
FALSE	(International: Palestine): Claim by Hamas: Hamas international spokesman Dr. Basem Naim claimed in an interview with Sky News that the group did not kill any civilians during its attack on Israel. Check Your Fact rating: False (Videos show Hamas militants killing civilians. Media outlets have reported that Hamas has killed hundreds of Israeli civilians.) FACT CHECK: Hamas Official Falsely Claims Group Did Not Kill Civilians

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