Misinformation, disinformation, and inflammatory speech in Israel are spiking. Since Hamas’ attack on October 7th, fake videos and photos from video games, material modified by AI, or simply from the past have all spread on social media as though they were real images and videos coming out of Gaza. NIF grantee FakeReporter works to combat misinformation, disinformation and fake news. These days, they are working around the clock to identify and report fakes, incitement, and to keep consumers of social media up-to-date on what is real and what is not. 

Their diligent efforts have even been featured on NPR, New York Times, and other US major news outlets. Reuters has relied on them as fact checkers. 

We are watching as their efforts reach mainstream Israeli audiences as well. For example, FakeReporter showed that a viral image of children in cages, purportedly Israeli children who were being held hostage by Hamas, was entirely fake. 

“We’re seeing violence and lies taken down and disinformation being refuted because of our reports,” Achiya Schatz, CEO of FakeReporter told NPR. “It’s nonstop. There are no mornings or nights anymore. We are really working in one endless day.”

To help support our efforts to combat disinformation and hate speech online, click here.