On Thursday, October 12, screenshots showing a purportedly conversation between Mulbah Morlu, Chairman of the Coalition of Democratic Change (CDC), and an unknown person surfaced on Facebook. It was shared by many Facebook users in various groups.
The chats contained exchange about the preliminary results announced by the National Elections Commission (NEC) and claims about the Chairperson of NEC. These screenshots appeared to have been taken from a WhatsApp group named “CDC Executive Leader…”.
These allegations appear to be undermining the independence of the NEC Chairperson.
However, our verification of these screenshots found them to be fabricated and misleading.
What Did We Find
To analyze these screenshots, we asked our tech expert, Carol Doe. Doe is an Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) Professional who is very verse in the use of social media tools.
After a careful analysis of these screenshots, this is what he told LVL Fact Checking Desk:
“From the look of the two screenshots, I will say that the WhatsApp conversation is fake. All authentic WhatsApp group chat conversations show either the names or phone numbers of group members that are sending messages. In the case of the group chat conversation screenshots that are being widely shared across social media, it is not the case. You only see a single name and can’t tell who is sending the other messages.”
During his analysis of the screenshot the following was observed:
- Take a close look at the chat background/wallpaper, you will realize that it was tempered with – WhatsApp doesn’t have such Chat background/wallpaper.
- WhatsApp group chat shows the names or phone numbers that messages come from. The screenshots of the WhatsApp group chat conversations do not show the info of the other sender.
- The font, style, editing icons of the Group chat name is fake – WhatsApp do not have such.
In addition to determining that these screenshots were fabricated to spread disinformation, Doe says “Tech tools are not the problem, the people are the problem”.
“If we choose to use them for our own selfish gains, we are to be held responsible. It’s sad to see people sharing fake news/information with tools and platforms that have so much potential for the growth and development of our nation,” he told LVL Fact Checking Desk.
“From the look of the two screenshots, I will say that the WhatsApp conversation is fake. All authentic WhatsApp group chat conversations show either the names or phone numbers of group members that are sending messages. In the case of the group chat conversation screenshots that are being widely shared across social media, it is not the case. You only see a single name and can’t tell who is sending the other messages.”
Conclusion
Based on the analysis from our tech expert, we conclude that the viral WhatsApp screenshot claiming to be a chat exchange involving the CDC chairman is fake. The chat was fabricated to spread disinformation.
This report was developed with the support of Internews through the USAID Media Activity project. The funder has no say in the editorial decision leading to the production of this content.
