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PODCAST

What"s Crap on WhatsApp?

Volume Podcasts & Africa Check

The show that debunks misinformation on WhatsApp. Brought to you by Africa Check and Volume Podcasts.

society & culture news commentary

All Episodes

08:30

FALSE: This widely shared video of a school child...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2025/01/31

In this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?”, we look at four viral claims:This widely shared video of a school child assaulted by a teacher is from Nigeria, not South Africa.https://bit.ly/video_nigeriaDoes this video show South African firefighters travelling to the United States in January 2025 to assist with wildfire response? Nope!https://bit.ly/southafrica_wildfiresNo, China has not declared a state of emergency (https://bit.ly/hmpv_emergency) or closed any schools

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08:32

Hello 2025! For our first episode of the year, we're...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2025/01/17

On this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?” we take a deep dive into three top tools for verifying information in 2025:Using Google'sAbout thistool: How and why.The Wayback Machine: An internet time capsule.InVid and WeVerify’s verification plugin: Speedy video debunks.Your friends and family can sign up for our show! Tell them to save our number (+27 82 709 3527) and send us a WhatsApp message to confirm. You can send us any WhatsApp message that you need fact-checked! Forward videos, pictures

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06:25

Goodbye 2024! We’re debunking three claims you might...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/12/20

In our last episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?” for 2024, we look at 3 viral claims and share some tips for avoiding false information this festive season:Does this video show the pillars of a bridge cut near their bases by “illegal foreigners” in South Africa? No, they’re part of the original design!https://bit.ly/sa_bridgeThe South African Police Service has rubbished a “special public announcement for the festive season”.https://bit.ly/saps_statementDo these dodgy-looking links offer ‘cash

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09:16

Yes, there was actually a nationwide product recall...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/12/06

In this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?”, we look at four viral claims:Was there a nationwide product recall issued for a batch of Yaz Plus, a hormonal birth control pill in South Africa? Surprisingly, yes!https://bit.ly/yaz_southafricaDon’t try these home remedies for detoxifying heavy metals from the body.https://bit.ly/metals_heavyCan this “herbal tea” cure glaucoma, cataracts and other eye conditions? Of course not.https://bit.ly/tea_eyesNo, Spar South Africa is still not hiring part-time

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07:49

There's no evidence that US president-elect Donald...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/11/22

In this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?”, we look at four viral claims:Did US president-elect Donald Trump make a controversial speech about Africans, called “rise up Africans”? Nope.https://bit.ly/trump_africansBeware: This child kidnapping warning is a variation on an old hoax.https://bit.ly/child_kidnapping🫚 Can basil leaf and ginger cure all infections? Of course not.https://bit.ly/basilleaf_cureNo, Pepsi has still not been contaminated with HIV.https://bit.ly/pepsi_hivYour friends and

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08:46

Should you throw your supplement “in the trash” if it...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/11/08

In this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?”, we look at four viral claims:Folic acid is vital during pregnancy, ignore widely shared claims to throw the nutrient “in the trash”.https://bit.ly/folicacid_folateDo these videos show the secretary general of South Africa’s largest political party, criticising president Cyril Ramaphosa? No!https://bit.ly/fikile_mbalulaDid South African political party the Democratic Alliance hoist a giant Israeli flag on Cape Town’s iconic Table Mountain

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09:31

This widely-shared picture of a man with a gun was...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/10/25

In this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?”, we look at four viral claims:Was this photo of a Somali man with a gun taken in South Africa? No!https://bit.ly/somalia_southafricaNo, the South African Social Security Agency is not giving grants to chronically ill South Africans aged over 70.https://bit.ly/sassa_grantSCAM: ‘Phase 5’ of South Africa’s presidential youth employment initiative is not open.https://bit.ly/sa_phase5Can this miracle formula cure chronic kidney disease? No, an expert warns

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09:09

Special episode alert! On this episode of “What's...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/10/11

On this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?” we take a deep dive into the current health emergency, mpox:What is mpox? Revisiting what we know about the contagious virus.Quick debunks of common myths.Tips on fact-checking during disease outbreaks.Your friends and family can sign up for our show! Tell them to save our number (+27 82 709 3527) and send us a WhatsApp message to confirm. You can send us any WhatsApp message that you need fact-checked! Forward videos, pictures and links to this

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09:33

FALSE: No, a common type of grass called goosegrass...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/09/27

In this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?”, we look at four viral claims:Can a common type of grass reverse kidney failure? Nope. https://bit.ly/kidney_failureShould those with candidiasis avoid sugar, wheat and dairy? No! https://bit.ly/candidiasis_treatmentSCAM: Be wary of ‘R6,000’ vacancies for Capitec advertised in unverified social media posts. https://bit.ly/capitec_scamSCAM: Ignore these posts claiming several South African retailers are hiring. https://bit.ly/southafrica_jobscamYour

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08:12

FALSE: These old photos have been used to inflame...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/09/13

In this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?”, we look at four claims doing the rounds:These old photos have been used to inflame tensions after a South African mayor’s controversial proposal to hire ‘foreigners’.https://bit.ly/sa_protestHas the World Health Organization ordered countries to prepare for ‘mega lockdowns’ over the mpox outbreak? No!https://bit.ly/mpox_lockdown‘Deliberate misinformation’ – watermelon and cuttlebone are not a remedy for high blood

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09:00

Is it true that 'Jinja Herbal Extracts' can cure...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/08/30

In this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?”, we look at four claims doing the rounds:There’s no evidence that 'Jinja Herbal Extracts' can cure various diseases and conditions, seek verified medical attention instead.https://bit.ly/jinja_herbalextractsDoes the British monarch own all the land in England? Britain’s land laws are no model for expropriation in South Africa.https://bit.ly/uk_lawsCan soursop leaf tea cure cancer, depression, and diabetes? Nope, there is no scientific evidence to support

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09:09

Nope, this screenshot does not show a post about...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/08/16

In this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?”, we look at four claims doing the rounds:Does this screenshot show a post about “digital and medical IDs” by Western Cape premier Alan Winde? Nope, it’s a parody account.https://bit.ly/winde_postThere’s no proof that South Africa’s new home affairs minister Leon Schreiber is ‘a Zimbabwean foreigner’.https://bit.ly/schreiber_foreignerDid a South African politician really write that black people in the Democratic Alliance party ‘are just experiments’? Of

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09:06

Can you use a mixture of salt, sugar and dry gin as a...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/08/02

In this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?”, we look at four claims doing the rounds:No, don’t use a mixture of salt, sugar and dry gin as a remedy for cholera. Seek medical attention instead.https://bit.ly/mixture_choleraHas Bill Gates hasn’t launched maggot milk? Thankfully, this claim is false.https://bit.ly/maggot_milkDo not use tomato leaf juice to treat cataracts. See a doctor to avoid making the condition worse.https://bit.ly/cataracts_tomatoleafDeepfake layer cake: These poorly made

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08:36

Special episode alert! On this episode, we take a...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/07/19

On this episode of *“What's Crap on WhatsApp?”* we take a deep dive into post-election misinformation:Quick debunks of widely-shared myths.Harmful effects of election misinformation & tips to avoid it.What's next for South Africa?Your friends and family can sign up for our show! Tell them to save our number (+27 82 709 3527) and send us a WhatsApp message to confirm. You can send us any WhatsApp message that you need fact-checked! Forward videos, pictures and links to this number.

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07:59

Watch out: South Africa’s electoral commission has...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/07/05

In this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?”, we look at four claims doing the rounds:FALSE: South Africa’s electoral commission has debunked claims around ‘changing’ vote numbers on the results dashboard.https://bit.ly/sa_votesDoes this video show boxes of ‘hidden’, ‘uncounted’ votes cast in South Africa’s 2024 elections? Of course not.https://bit.ly/uncounted_ballotboxesIs a “memo” by the Democratic Alliance saying it intended to undermine a ‘coalition’ government real

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09:18

No, the US security agency will not "start a war" in...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/06/21

In this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?”, we look at four claims doing the rounds:Will the US security agency start a war in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province and frame the uMkhonto weSizwe party? Of course not!https://bit.ly/cia_southafricaThere’s no evidence that South Africa’s two biggest political parties bribed the electoral commission to rig the election.https://bit.ly/southafrica_briberyIs the fruit drink brand Maaza and other soft drinks infected with Ebola

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08:32

Were ‘destroyed’ ballot boxes found in South Africa’s...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/06/07

In this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?”, we look at four election-related claims doing the rounds:FALSE: South Africa’s electoral commission has dispelled claims of ‘destroyed’ ballot boxes in South Africa’s Limpopo province.https://bit.ly/iec_ballotboxesWere ‘mystery’ ballot papers ‘discovered’ pre-filled with votes for South Africa’s ruling party? Nope!https://bit.ly/anc_iecNo, person dressed in South Africa’s ruling party colours does not also work for electoral

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08:54

The Democratic Alliance claimed eight out of 10...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/05/24

In this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?”, we look at four claims doing the rounds:Are eight out of 10 people employed in the Democratic Alliance governed Western Cape? No, this is incorrect.https://bit.ly/western_capeThere is no evidence to support the claim that a mixture of avocado seed and rubbing alcohol can cure joint pain.https://bit.ly/avocado_alcohol#ZOMBIECLAIM: Don’t believe this old warning about the ‘different and deadly’ coronavirus ‘XBB variant’.https://bit.ly/xbb_variant#SCAM:

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09:19

No, the ruling African National Congress has not kept...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/05/10

In this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?”, we look at four election-related claims doing the rounds:Did the African National Congress (ANC) keep its promise to implement national health insurance in South Africa? No.https://bit.ly/anc_promiseUS president Joe Biden did not warn of South African sanctions if the ANC wins the 2024 elections. Ignore this AI-generated video.https://bit.ly/biden_ancDoes this video show Mozambican migrants ‘imported’ to vote for South Africa’s ruling party? Of course

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09:19

Special episode alert! On today's show, we take a...

What"s Crap on WhatsApp? ·

2024/04/26

On this episode of “What's Crap on WhatsApp?” we take a deep dive into election misinformation:Claims you are likely to see during election season.Emerging narratives on social media.What to watch out for on election day. Your friends and family can sign up for our show! Tell them to save our number (+27 82 709 3527) and send us a WhatsApp message to confirm. You can send us any WhatsApp message that you need fact-checked! Forward videos, pictures and links to this number.

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