Fact Check: Old Haile Gebrselassie Interview Resurfaces as New Content on Social Media
Claim
Videos circulating on social media platforms, particularly TikTok and Facebook, claim that legendary Ethiopian athlete Haile Gebrselassie recently gave a statement or interview on property tax. The posts imply the content is new and relevant to current events, potentially aiming to create confusion among the public.
Rating: MISLEADING / OUT OF CONTEXT
An investigation by the Ethiopian Media Authority (EMA) Fact-Checking Desk has confirmed that this claim is false and misleading. The video in question is not recent; it is an old interview from approximately two years ago that has been taken out of context and presented as new.
Background
According to a public alert issued by the Ethiopian Media Authority, the spread of the outdated video is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and create unnecessary confusion. The EMA has stated that the video is “completely distorted (Manipulated) and presented out of context (Out of Context).”
This is not an isolated incident. Renowned athletes like Haile Gebrselassie and Kenenisa Bekele have previously been targeted by misinformation campaigns. Earlier this year, fact-checking organizations such as PesaCheck and HaqCheck investigated videos circulating on Facebook that claimed the athletes had launched a new mobile application. Those videos were found to be ALTERED, with the audio confirmed to be AI-generated using deepfake technology. Kenenisa Bekele himself confirmed to HaqCheck that the video was unfamiliar and that he had no knowledge of the alleged app.
Why This Matters
The Ethiopian Media Authority has raised alarms over the escalating spread of hate speech and disinformation on social media platforms, highlighting the growing threat these pose to national cohesion and public safety. A comprehensive study by the EMA found that text-based hate speech and disinformation constitute the majority of harmful content online, with a significant portion originating from influential individuals including political and religious leaders.
EMA’s Message to the Public
The EMA urges the public to be vigilant and exercise caution before sharing information on social media. The Authority emphasizes the importance of verifying information through official and reliable sources before forwarding it to others.
“The public is advised not to share information without verifying it first.” – Ethiopian Media Authority
What You Can Do
- Pause before you share: Check if the information comes from a reputable and official source.
- Look for dates: Ensure the content is current and relevant, not an old story being recycled.
- Verify with official bodies: In cases of public figures or national news, check announcements from government agencies or established media houses.
The post Fact Check: Old Haile Gebrselassie Interview Resurfaces as New Content on Social Media appeared first on Ethio Affairs.
