At least 300 fake accounts identified on various platforms like Twitter
Campaign reportedly began in summer 2020 with slogan #Chinaisavirus
Operation involved creating fake social media accounts and spreading anti-vaccine narrative
US military allegedly conducted disinformation campaign against China's Sinovac vaccine
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, several reports have emerged suggesting that the United States military conducted a secret campaign to undermine China's influence in various countries. The operation, which involved creating fake social media accounts and spreading disinformation, targeted nations with a growing Chinese presence such as the Philippines. One of the most notable aspects of this campaign was its anti-vaccine narrative, which aimed to sow doubt about the safety and efficacy of China's Sinovac vaccine.
According to multiple sources, at least 300 fake accounts were identified on various platforms like Twitter (now known as X) that matched descriptions shared by former US military officials familiar with the operation. These accounts propagated theories that China's Sinovac vaccine was not successful in combatting coronavirus effects.
The campaign reportedly began in the summer of 2020 and centered around the slogan #Chinaangvirus, which translates to 'China is the virus' in Tagalog. The military allegedly used this slogan to fuel anti-vaccine sentiments and create fear among populations.
It is important to note that these reports are based on investigations by various news outlets and have not been officially confirmed by the US military or any other authoritative body. However, the evidence presented in these reports raises serious concerns about potential propaganda efforts aimed at manipulating public opinion during a global health crisis.
As responsible journalists, it is our duty to provide accurate and unbiased information to our readers. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and report on any new developments as they become available.
The US military launched a secret campaign to counter China’s influence in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through phony internet accounts, the military created an anti-vax campaign using slogan #Chinaangvirus.
At least 300 fake accounts were identified on X (formerly Twitter) that matched descriptions shared by former US military officials familiar with the operation.
The Pentagon used a combination of fake social media accounts on multiple platforms to spread fear of China’s vaccines among Muslims during the pandemic.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(0%)
The article by Al Jazeera reports on a secret US military campaign to spread anti-vaccination propaganda in the Philippines and other countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The author provides details about how this was done through fake social media accounts impersonating locals and spreading fear about China's vaccines, particularly Sinovac. The article also mentions that this campaign continued into Joe Biden's presidency despite warnings from social media executives about misinformation. This is a clear example of deception as it involves the deliberate spread of false information with the intention to manipulate public opinion and sow doubt about the safety and efficacy of vaccines, potentially putting lives at risk.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States military launched a secret campaign to counter what it perceived as China’s growing influence in the Philippines... Through phony internet accounts meant to impersonate Filipinos, the military’s propaganda efforts morphed into an anti-vaccination campaign...
The military programme started under former President Donald Trump and continued months into Joe Biden’s presidency…
The clandestine operation has not been previously reported. It aimed to sow doubt about the safety and efficacy of vaccines and other life-saving aid that was being supplied by China... Almost all were created in the middle of 2020 and centred on the slogan #Chinaangvirus – Tagalog for ‘China is the virus.’...
Fallacies
(75%)
The article reports on a secret US military campaign that used disinformation to undermine China's efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. The author does not make any additional claims beyond reporting these facts. There are no appeals to authority or inflammatory rhetoric, and no dichotomous depictions are made by the author. However, there is an example of a false claim being spread (that vaccines sometimes contain pork gelatin, making them forbidden under Islamic law), which could be considered a form of misleading information. This fallacy lowers the score from a potential 100.
The clandestine operation has not been previously reported.
Bias
(0%)
Al Jazeera's article reports on the US military's secret anti-vax campaign to undermine China's COVID efforts in the Philippines. The article provides evidence of this campaign through Reuters investigation which found at least 300 fake accounts on X (formerly Twitter) that matched descriptions shared by former US military officials familiar with the operation. These accounts spread doubt about the safety and efficacy of vaccines and other life-saving aid supplied by China, using phrases like 'China is the virus' and 'From China - PPE, Face Mask, Vaccine: FAKE'. The article also mentions that this campaign was not previously reported and started under former President Trump in spring 2020. This report demonstrates clear political bias against the US military and its actions.
At least 300 accounts on X, formerly Twitter, that matched descriptions shared by former US military officials familiar with the operation.
COVID came from China and the VACCINE also came from China, don’t trust China!
From China – PPE, Face Mask, Vaccine: FAKE. But the Coronavirus is real.
The US military launched a secret campaign in the Philippines to counter China’s influence.
Through phony internet accounts, the military created an anti-vax campaign using slogan #Chinaangvirus.
At least 300 fake accounts were identified on X (formerly Twitter) that matched descriptions shared by former US military officials familiar with the operation.
The Pentagon used a combination of fake social media accounts on multiple platforms to spread fear of China’s vaccines among Muslims during the pandemic.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(0%)
The article reports on a secret military operation where the US military created fake social media accounts to impersonate locals and spread misinformation about China's vaccines. This is an example of selective reporting as the article only reports details that support the author's position, which is that China's vaccines are not safe and effective. The article also does not disclose any sources for this information, making it impossible to verify the accuracy of these claims.
From China – PPE, Face Mask, Vaccine: FAKE. But the Coronavirus is real.
COVID came from China and the VACCINE also came from China, don’t trust China!
Fallacies
(80%)
The article reports on the U.S. military's secret campaign to sow doubt about China's vaccines and aid during the COVID-19 pandemic through fake social media accounts. This is an example of a propaganda fallacy, specifically a deception by omission or manipulation of information fallacy. The author does not explicitly state that the U.S. military's campaign was based on false information, but it is implied through the context that the campaign aimed to spread doubt and fear about China's vaccines and aid without providing any evidence to support these claims.
]COVID came from China and the VACCINE also came from China, don't trust China![/
From China -- PPE, Face Mask, Vaccine: FAKE. But the Coronavirus is real.
Bias
(0%)
The article describes a secret military operation by the US to spread misinformation about China's vaccines and aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. The operation involved creating fake social media accounts impersonating locals in various countries and spreading anti-vax messages in their languages. This is an example of monetary bias, as the US was attempting to undermine China's influence and promote its own interests by casting doubt on China's vaccines.
COVID came from China and the VACCINE also came from China, don’t trust China!
From China – PPE, Face Mask, Vaccine: FAKE. But the Coronavirus is real.
The United States military allegedly pushed an anti-vax disinformation campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic to counter Chinese narratives.
At least 300 fake social media accounts were created on platforms, primarily X (formerly Twitter), to propagate theories that China’s Sinovac vaccine was not successful in combatting coronavirus effects.
The campaign reportedly targeted countries with a growing Chinese presence, such as the Philippines.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(30%)
The article reports on a disinformation campaign by the US military during the COVID-19 pandemic to counter Chinese narratives about vaccine safety and efficacy. The author quotes from social media posts created as part of this campaign that disparage China's Sinovac vaccine and spread doubt about its effectiveness. This is an example of selective reporting, as the article only reports details that support the author's position, while ignoring any potential counter-arguments or context that may challenge it. Additionally, the article does not disclose any sources for this information beyond Reuters' investigation.
COVID came from China and the VACCINE also came from China, don’t trust China!
From China – PPE, Face Mask, Vaccine: FAKE. But the Coronavirus is real.
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains a few instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. It also dichotomously depicts the actions of the U.S. military as being in direct opposition to China's efforts, without considering the complexities of international politics.
. . . at least 300 fake social media accounts were created on platforms X, formerly Twitter, meant to propagate theories that China’s Sinovac vaccine was not successful in countering the effects of coronavirus . . .
Bias
(95%)
The author reports on the Pentagon's alleged anti-vaccine disinformation campaign against China without providing any evidence of the author's own bias. However, the language used in some of the quotes from social media posts included in the article could be seen as biased and disparaging towards China. The post that reads 'COVID came from China and the VACCINE also came from China, don’t trust China!' clearly demonstrates a negative attitude towards China. Another post, 'From China – PPE, Face Mask, Vaccine: FAKE. But the Coronavirus is real.' implies that Chinese vaccines are not to be trusted and are fake. These quotes could be seen as examples of bias against China.
COVID came from China and the VACCINE also came from China, don’t trust China!
From China – PPE, Face Mask, Vaccine: FAKE. But the Coronavirus is real.
The US military launched a secret campaign in the Philippines to counter China’s influence.
Through phony internet accounts, the military created an anti-vax campaign using slogan #Chinaangvirus.
At least 300 fake accounts were identified on X (formerly Twitter) that matched descriptions shared by former US military officials familiar with the operation.
Accuracy
No Contradictions at Time
Of
Publication
Deception
(0%)
The article reports on a secret military operation by the US Pentagon to spread misinformation about China's vaccines and aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. The author presents this information as fact without providing any peer-reviewed studies or evidence to support their claims. This is an example of selective reporting, as the author only reports details that support their position against China's vaccines, while ignoring any potential counterevidence.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. military launched a secret campaign to counter what it perceived as China’s growing influence in the Philippines... It aimed to sow doubt about the safety and efficacy of vaccines and other life-saving aid that was being supplied by China...
Fallacies
(80%)
The author of the article, Reuters, makes several implicit assumptions and uses inflammatory rhetoric in their reporting. They assume that the U.S. military's anti-vax campaign was a secret operation aimed at undermining China without providing any evidence to support this claim beyond stating it as fact. Additionally, they use the phrase 'sow doubt' about the safety and efficacy of Chinese vaccines, which is an inflammatory way to describe questioning the validity of scientific research. This language is intended to create a negative perception of China without providing any substantive evidence or analysis.
]COVID came from China and the VACCINE also came from China, don't trust China
