Fact-Checks Confirm Viral Images of Political Figures Are AI-Manipulated
Two viral images circulating on social media have been confirmed as AI-manipulated. One falsely depicts an Indian citizen, Saddamhusen Makarani, holding a Pakistani flag, a claim refuted by Makarani and fact-checked by The Quint. Another altered image shows Congress leader Shashi Tharoor with student leader Neha Bora, which was digitally created using AI tools. Both cases highlight misinformation involving political figures and activists, with fact-checkers using reverse image searches and AI detection tools to verify authenticity.
First-hand measurement across 3 sources
We measured how 3 outlets covered this story. Coverage leans balanced overall (Left 40%, Centre 60%, Right 0%). Overall sentiment is neutral (51/100). Lens Score 47/100.
Outlets measured: thequint, thequint, thequint. See how each one headlined and framed the same story in the source comparison below.
AI Analysis
All 1 outlets scored close to centre on political lean. The real divergence here is in emphasis, not lean — compare the headlines below to see how each outlet chose to frame the same facts.
Sentiment was consistent across outlets (50–55/100), indicating broadly factual reporting rather than editorialising.
Coverage timeline
thequint broke this story on 19 Oct, 08:34 am. Other outlets followed.