The Latest Fact Checks curated by Media Bias Fact Check 12/04/2023

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

MOSTLY FALSE	Claim by Alex Berenson: “1 million mRNA covid shots or teens will prevent 0-1 deaths and CAUSE 100,000 – 200,000 severe side effects” Health Feedback rating: Misleading (The claim didn’t make clear that the “severe” reactogenic events are normal following vaccination and aren’t synonymous with serious medical issues. The claim also didn’t make clear that very few teenagers die of COVID-19, which explains why vaccination doesn’t appear to prevent many COVID-19 deaths.) Benefits of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines outweigh their risks, even for teenagers, contrary to Alex Berenson’s claim
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: CIA doesn’t want you to know that this island exists. It’s called Diego Garcia, and it is located in the Indian Ocean. Lead Stories rating: False (Not A Secret – The CIA has it on it’s website.) Fact Check: The CIA Does NOT Try To Cover Up The Existence Of Diego Garcia Island — Info Is On The Agency’s Website
BLATANT LIE	Claim via Social Media: 2006 v. 23 Arctic sea ice levels shows ’emissions-driven warming is a hoax’ USA Today rating: False (While Arctic sea ice extent − the area covered by a certain amount of floating ice − was similar in June 2006 and 2023, Arctic sea ice is decreasing overall due to global warming. Multiple lines of evidence show that human CO2 emissions are causing global warming.) Arctic sea ice declining despite June comparision \| Fact check
BLATANT LIE	Claim by Newsmax: “MSNBC airs Gaza ‘crisis actor.'” Politifact rating: False (The man Newsmax called a “crisis actor” is a social media influencer who has been posting about Gaza and the al-Shifa Hospital.) Evidence lacking for ‘crisis actor’ claims about Palestinian in Gaza TV footage Newsmax Rating
TRUE	Claim via Social Media: George Santos was the first to be expelled without conviction or treason. KSDK rating: True (Santos first Congress member expelled without conviction or treason.) Yes, Santos is the first member of Congress to be expelled without being convicted of a crime or committing treason
FALSE	(International: Australia): A total of 105,000 asylum seekers have entered Australia since Labor took government in May 2022. Australian Associated Press rating: False (The figure relates to people with failed or pending asylum applications. Most entered Australia under the previous coalition government.) Dutton gets it wrong with Labor asylum seeker claim

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.