CLAIM: Covid-19 cases rise to 90 at Morningside Mediclinic
SOURCE: Social media platforms
VERDICT: False
A screenshot of the Sandton Chronicle with the headline Covid-19 cases rise to 90 at Morningside MediClinic has been circulating. The screenshot that FactCheckZW was asked to verify has Monday, January 6 2025 at the top of the article. The message shared on WhatsApp is captioned, ‘Kunzima (p)handle Lana baqaphele abantu (It is hectic out there people need to be careful)’.
However, this is an old article published by the Sandton Chronicle on April 24, 2020.
The screenshot is deliberately cut to mislead anyone who sees it. The publication’s house style is that the date of the article is placed after the headline and introduction to the story. However, the screenshot was cropped in such a way that the date of the publication is missing.
Instead, what appears is the date on which the page was accessed:Monday, January 6 2025.
For instance, in the screenshot below, the date is Tuesday, January 7 2025; which is the date when FactCheckZW accessed the page:
The Sandton Chronicle has since published an article alerting the public that this is a misleading screenshot. In this article, the publication notes that the screenshot has circulated wide enough to cause public concern, ‘The Gauteng Department of Health reached out to the Sandton Chronicle and is aware of the concern raised by the public’. The Morningside Mediclinic also reached out to the publication.
Misleading recycled content
Here are some tips to help readers protect themselves from old articles recycled as current to mislead:
Check the Publication Date:
* Look for the date stamp: Most reputable news sources clearly display the date of publication.
* Be wary of vague dates: If only the year is given, it could be an older article.
Cross-Reference Information:
* Search for the same information from multiple sources: If the story is current, other reputable news outlets will likely be reporting on it.
* Compare publication dates: If other sources have more recent coverage, it suggests the original article may be outdated.
Look for Signs of Recycling:
* Check for inconsistencies: Pay attention to details that might indicate an older article, such as outdated information, missing context, or a lack of updates.
* Be wary of sensationalised headlines: Clickbait headlines often aim to grab attention rather than provide accurate information.
Use Online Tools:
* Reverse image search: If the article includes images, use Google Images or TinEye to see if they’ve been used elsewhere and when.
* Fact-checking websites: Utilise resources like FactCheckZW, Africa Check or ZimFact to verify information and identify potential misinformation.
Be Critical and Skeptical:
* Don’t take everything at face value: Always question the information you encounter, especially if it seems outlandish or emotionally charged.
* Consider the potential motives: Why might someone want to recycle an old article? Are they trying to spread misinformation, manipulate public opinion, or simply drive traffic to their website?
Conclusion
There has not been COVID-19 cases recorded at Morningside Mediclinic in South Africa. The article headlined Covid-19 cases rise to 90 at Morningside Mediclinic is an old one from 2020. The original article has been screenshot and edited in such a way that it does not show the original date of publication. Instead, it only shows the date on which the article was accessed.
