Verifying images, videos and rumours online
A genuine image can carry a false story when it is detached from its original place or date. Verification begins with that possibility. Trace earlier appearances, question the visible details and identify the first source before deciding what a striking image actually proves.
The essentials
Use reverse-image search to look for previous appearances of a photograph. Tools such as Google Images, TinEye or Yandex can reveal that an image presented as new has circulated before in another setting. Finding an earlier use changes the claim you need to investigate; it does not replace checking what that earlier use represented.
Question an image as you would a witness. Do weather and clothing fit the proposed date? Do number plates, signs and visible languages fit the location? Compare clues with maps and available satellite imagery. Record the steps so that your conclusion rests on evidence rather than a visual impression.
Trace the primary source. Who published first, and can that person explain how they obtained the material? The same discipline applies to text and anonymous audio messages. If the origin or context cannot be established, let that uncertainty shape the publication decision. Authentic pixels do not guarantee an accurate caption.
Take it to the field
Save the received image, caption and original link before starting. Record each check. If the origin or context remains uncertain, that uncertainty should guide your decision about whether and how to publish.
Your turn
Take three striking images circulating in your WhatsApp groups this week. Search for earlier appearances with two different tools. Record which claims survive, which fail and which remain unresolved.