https://www.voanews.com/z/7515 Voice of America (VOA) Fact Check​ serves as a resource for verifying the increasing volume of disinformation and misinformation being distributed and shared globally. https://www.voanews.com/Content/responsive/VOA/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.voanews.com/z/7515 en 2026 - VOA 60 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 23:34:37 -0400 Pangea CMS – VOA Relations between Russia and China are indeed closer than at any point since the 1950s, but they are shaped more by pragmatism, economic necessity and shared opposition to Western influence than by deep trust or historical affinity. https://www.voanews.com/a/russian-foreign-minister-exaggerates-russia-china-relations-ignores-nuances/8011464.html https://www.voanews.com/a/russian-foreign-minister-exaggerates-russia-china-relations-ignores-nuances/8011464.html Fri, 14 Mar 2025 20:53:12 -0400 PolygraphEast AsiaEuropeChina Newswebdesk@voanews.com (Leonid Martynyuk) China’s Foreign Ministry says China is committed to Panama Canal neutrality and has never interfered in its operation. VOA’s Leonid Martynyuk explains why this is misleading. https://www.voanews.com/a/china-misleads-on-involvement-in-panama-canal/8010384.html https://www.voanews.com/a/china-misleads-on-involvement-in-panama-canal/8010384.html Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:32:44 -0400 PolygraphAmericasChina Newswebdesk@voanews.com (Leonid Martynyuk) Many foreign influencers cooperate with Chinese government, media, third parties to create, boost content backing Communist Party narratives https://www.voanews.com/a/foreign-bloggers-help-china-spread-propaganda-analysis-finds/8009973.html https://www.voanews.com/a/foreign-bloggers-help-china-spread-propaganda-analysis-finds/8009973.html Thu, 13 Mar 2025 16:29:05 -0400 China NewsPolygraphwebdesk@voanews.com (Bo Gu) Dmitry Kiselyov, CEO of the Russia state-owned media group MIA Rossiya Segodnya, mocked Europe's military capacity and questioned its ability to increase aid to Ukraine. VOA’s Leonid Martynyuk explains why that is false and misleading. https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-s-kiselyov-misleads-on-european-military-capacities-/8008250.html https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-s-kiselyov-misleads-on-european-military-capacities-/8008250.html Wed, 12 Mar 2025 13:14:50 -0400 Polygraphwebdesk@voanews.com (Leonid Martynyuk) The situation in South Sudan is fragile and getting worse, with growing political and military instability. The claims made by the information minister do not reflect the reality on the ground. https://www.voanews.com/a/attacks-ugandan-troops-undermine-south-sudan-minister-assurance-of-calm/8007264.html https://www.voanews.com/a/attacks-ugandan-troops-undermine-south-sudan-minister-assurance-of-calm/8007264.html Tue, 11 Mar 2025 16:45:35 -0400 Polygraphwebdesk@voanews.com (Purity Mwambia) Through the Chinese government's Belt and Road Initiative, Chinese companies acquired or built major port facilities in 129 strategic locations, including the Panama Canal. While Beijing claims neutrality, critics argue that China may have geopolitical motives, such as increasing influence over global chokepoints. https://www.voanews.com/a/china-misleads-on-involvement-in-panama-canal/8006579.html https://www.voanews.com/a/china-misleads-on-involvement-in-panama-canal/8006579.html Tue, 11 Mar 2025 10:04:12 -0400 PolygraphEast Asiawebdesk@voanews.com (Leonid Martynyuk) Analysts argue that Kenya’s hosting of the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces and the M23 militias in the Democratic Republic of Congo undermine its regional and international standing. https://www.voanews.com/a/sudan-s-accusations-of-kenya-siding-with-rsf-are-likely-true/8003408.html https://www.voanews.com/a/sudan-s-accusations-of-kenya-siding-with-rsf-are-likely-true/8003408.html Sat, 08 Mar 2025 12:53:33 -0500 Polygraphwebdesk@voanews.com (Purity Mwambia) Neither Western monitors, nor media, were allowed to observe a poll characterized by the lack of genuine opposition in a deeply authoritarian state. https://www.voanews.com/a/china-falsely-frames-elections-in-tajikistan-as-democratic-inclusive/8003026.html https://www.voanews.com/a/china-falsely-frames-elections-in-tajikistan-as-democratic-inclusive/8003026.html Fri, 07 Mar 2025 16:25:33 -0500 Polygraphwebdesk@voanews.com (William Echols) A Russian diplomat claims the Central African Republic significantly succeeded in combating militants with Moscow's support. VOA’s Purity Mwambia explains why that is false. https://www.voanews.com/a/false-with-russian-support-car-made-strides-in-combating-militants/8002374.html https://www.voanews.com/a/false-with-russian-support-car-made-strides-in-combating-militants/8002374.html Fri, 07 Mar 2025 09:42:58 -0500 Polygraphwebdesk@voanews.com (Purity Mwambia) Kremlin-linked media magnate fallaciously questions Europe’s ability to boost Ukraine’s military resources https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-s-kiselyov-misleads-on-european-military-capacities/7998746.html https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-s-kiselyov-misleads-on-european-military-capacities/7998746.html Wed, 05 Mar 2025 11:23:56 -0500 PolygraphMisleadingwebdesk@voanews.com (Leonid Martynyuk) Fourteen militia groups control two-thirds of the Central African Republic (C.A.R.) and parts of the capital city, Bangui. Russian military involvement has been stained with gross human rights violations, corruption and appropriation of natural resources. https://www.voanews.com/a/false-with-russia-s-support-car-significantly-succeeded-in-combating-militants-/7997777.html https://www.voanews.com/a/false-with-russia-s-support-car-significantly-succeeded-in-combating-militants-/7997777.html Tue, 04 Mar 2025 18:43:58 -0500 PolygraphEuropeAfricawebdesk@voanews.com (Purity Mwambia) Russian President Vladimir Putin claims the territories of eastern Ukraine occupied by his forces were previously part of the Russian Federation. VOA’s Leonid Martynyuk explains why that is false. https://www.voanews.com/a/putin-baselessly-offers-ukraine-rare-earth-minerals-as-russian-commodity/7997179.html https://www.voanews.com/a/putin-baselessly-offers-ukraine-rare-earth-minerals-as-russian-commodity/7997179.html Tue, 04 Mar 2025 10:31:49 -0500 Polygraphwebdesk@voanews.com (Leonid Martynyuk) Beijing also uses AI models to collect biometric data and for social media listening for Chinese security services https://www.voanews.com/a/china-uses-deepseek-ai-for-surveillance-and-information-attacks-on-us/7996271.html https://www.voanews.com/a/china-uses-deepseek-ai-for-surveillance-and-information-attacks-on-us/7996271.html Tue, 04 Mar 2025 00:46:14 -0500 PolygraphTechnologyChina Newswebdesk@voanews.com (Fatima Tlis) Australian Senator Fatima Payman told Iran's state-run Press TV that women’s democratic participation and right to work are protected in Iran. VOA’s William Echols explains how that is misleading. https://www.voanews.com/a/australian-senator-misleads-over-women-s-rights-in-iran/7991498.html https://www.voanews.com/a/australian-senator-misleads-over-women-s-rights-in-iran/7991498.html Fri, 28 Feb 2025 10:52:44 -0500 Polygraphwebdesk@voanews.com (William Echols) Tshisekedi's government invited the U.S. and EU to purchase minerals directly from the DRC, bypassing Rwanda-backed M23 fighters. There was no request for U.S. troops to intervene in the conflict. https://www.voanews.com/a/x-influencer-misleads-on-drc-offer-of-rare-minerals-to-us-eu-/7990682.html https://www.voanews.com/a/x-influencer-misleads-on-drc-offer-of-rare-minerals-to-us-eu-/7990682.html Thu, 27 Feb 2025 15:46:39 -0500 PolygraphAfricawebdesk@voanews.com (Purity Mwambia) Russia signed at least five treaties guaranteeing Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Russian annexation of Ukrainian regions violates these agreements. It is also illegal under international law, which recognizes these territories as belonging to Ukraine. https://www.voanews.com/a/putin-baselessly-offers-ukraine-rare-earth-minerals-as-russian-commodity/7990437.html https://www.voanews.com/a/putin-baselessly-offers-ukraine-rare-earth-minerals-as-russian-commodity/7990437.html Thu, 27 Feb 2025 13:43:34 -0500 Polygraphwebdesk@voanews.com (Leonid Martynyuk) Rwanda denies involvement in attacking the Democratic Republic of Congo. VOA’s Purity Mwambia explains why this is false. https://www.voanews.com/a/false-rwanda-denies-involvement-in-drc-war/7989296.html https://www.voanews.com/a/false-rwanda-denies-involvement-in-drc-war/7989296.html Wed, 26 Feb 2025 16:18:57 -0500 Polygraphwebdesk@voanews.com (Purity Mwambia) Iran imposes severe restrictions on women's ability to speak and assemble freely, alongside broader limitations on civic and political rights. https://www.voanews.com/a/australian-senator-misleads-over-women-s-rights-in-iran-/7988381.html https://www.voanews.com/a/australian-senator-misleads-over-women-s-rights-in-iran-/7988381.html Tue, 25 Feb 2025 22:16:57 -0500 Polygraphwebdesk@voanews.com (William Echols) Russia built a propaganda network in the Sahel to turn public opinion against French troops and the West https://www.voanews.com/a/kremlin-disinformation-campaigns-aim-to-discredit-french-military-in-the-sahel-analysts-say-/7988010.html https://www.voanews.com/a/kremlin-disinformation-campaigns-aim-to-discredit-french-military-in-the-sahel-analysts-say-/7988010.html Tue, 25 Feb 2025 17:57:41 -0500 PolygraphEuropeAfricawebdesk@voanews.com (Purity Mwambia, Henry Wilkins) Russia's war on Ukraine began in 2014 with the annexation of Crimea and covert operations in the Donbas region. By the time Zelenskyy became president in 2019, the conflict already had lasted five years. On Feb. 24, 2022, Putin initiated a full-scale invasion after months of disinformation. https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-uk-ambassador-falsely-claims-zelenskyy-started-russia-ukraine-war/7987874.html https://www.voanews.com/a/russia-uk-ambassador-falsely-claims-zelenskyy-started-russia-ukraine-war/7987874.html Tue, 25 Feb 2025 15:29:54 -0500 Polygraphwebdesk@voanews.com (Leonid Martynyuk)