Through the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), the EU supports a European network of factcheckers, including TheJournal in Ireland. For a monthly roundup of European factchecks, visit the main EDMO website. Here, we highlight recent pieces by TheJournal FactCheck team.
What is ‘chat control’, the EU’s contentious plan to fight online child abuse?
Published: 11 July – by Shane Raymond
The European Parliament has voted to extend rules allowing tech companies to scan some online messages for suspected child sexual abuse material. Allegations that the measures amount to mass surveillance or let governments read everyone’s private messages exaggerate what the proposals would do, although privacy and encryption concerns remain under debate.
Debunked: Claims of Russian battlefield gains misuse report that finds greater Ukrainian advances
Published: 14 July – by Shane Raymond
Social media posts falsely claimed a Ukrainian battlefield mapping group found Russia had made its biggest territorial gains in months. The report actually measured Russian advances in isolation, used square kilometres rather than square miles, and concluded that once Ukrainian gains were included, Russia had lost more territory than it captured.
Debunked: False ‘whistleblower’ claim says remdesivir and ventilators killed Covid patients
Published: 16 July – by Shane Raymond
A viral “whistleblower” allege that hospitals killed Covid-19 patients with remdesivir and ventilators is not supported by the evidence. Studies consistently show these treatments did not increase mortality and, in many cases, were linked to better survival.