Head of digital investigation for Asia-Pacific at @AFP @AFPFactCheck • Alum: @USATODAY, @PolitiFact, @Poynter • Tips, hoaxes, memes → [email protected] 📩
Hong Kong
Joined August 2011
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Daniel Funke retweeted
As scientists investigate the deadly floods that swept through Nepal and Tibet, online posts baselessly claim the disaster was caused by a Chinese dam collapse.
We reviewed forensic evidence and spoke to five experts to break down the sequence of events behind the devastation 🧵
ALT Infographic showing the route that the China-Nepal floods took through the Himalayas
Daniel Funke retweeted
As rescuers in Nepal and China searched for thousands missing after deadly flash floods swept through the Himalayas, social media was inundated with clips falsely linked to the disaster.
Here are some of the claims our global team has debunked so far 🧵
ALT Vehicles and people walking through mud between damaged buildings
Daniel Funke retweeted
Our North American team is joining forces with @LeadStoriesCom, @PolitiFact, @factcheckdotorg & @factchequeado to publish a weekly newsletter that gathers the most important fact-checks of the US midterm elections in one place.
Subscribe now ➡️ u.afp.com/USMidtermsNewslett…
ALT A woman checks in to cast her ballot at a polling station in Black Mountain, North Carolina
"AFP's tests of the feature on Friday were able to fabricate satellite images that could have had serious global consequences: an explosion in Paris, a nuclear site in Iran, a bomb crater in Russia and an Islamic State group training ground in Syria." tech.yahoo.com/ai/gemini/art…
Daniel Funke retweeted
🇹🇭 Thailand's Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has rejected an audio clip of him purportedly promising to reopen border crossings with Cambodia as false and "obviously" AI-generated u.afp.com/SRPu
ALT "It's obviously AI. I don't speak that eloquently." - Anutin Charnvirakul, Thai prime minister to reporters on May 13, 2026
🇵🇭 The Philippine government has lodged complaints against several Facebook accounts and warned Meta it could face legal action if it fails to curb a torrent of disinformation targeting President Ferdinand Marcos's health.
From @araeugenio for @AFP: u.afp.com/SRf3
🦠 Different virus, same disinformation playbook.
@MarishaGSherry and @billdmccarthy report for @AFP on the deluge of Covid-era conspiracy theories about the deadly hantavirus outbreak: u.afp.com/SRwc
Daniel Funke retweeted
🇰🇷 In South Korea, government disinformation monitors are cracking down on AI-generated content ahead of local polls next month. The surge of online fakery is testing the country's toughened election laws, which ban AI material that involves candidates u.afp.com/Sayq
ALT Computer screen with a "Fake" button behind the silhouette of a person wearing glasses
Daniel Funke retweeted
🇺🇸🇨🇦 From faulty US government reports to dangerous swatting hoaxes, unfounded health claims to false election fraud narratives, look over some of our most impactful debunks from North America in 2025 👇#FactCheckingDay
ALT The US and Canadian flags wave in the wind
Daniel Funke retweeted
From AI-generated visuals and election misinformation to conflict narratives and coordinated online attacks, 2025 exposed how false information is shaping events across Africa. See a sample of our top debunks from across the continent for #InternationalFactCheckingDay🌍️
Happy International Fact-Checking Day! 🎉✅
I'm incredibly proud of the work my team at @AFP has done over the past year to cover disinformation -- despite a whole host of challenges, from the rapid rise of AI to mounting pressures on our industry. #FactsMatter
Political crises, elections, conflicts and extreme weather events sparked waves of misinformation in Asia-Pacific last year.
On International Fact-Checking Day, here are a few highlights of the most harmful claims we debunked in the region 🧵
#FactCheckingDay #FactsMatter
ALT A woman takes a photo next to Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong on August 14, 2025, as Typhoon Podul weakens to a severe tropical storm.
Daniel Funke retweeted
Happy International Fact-Checking Day!
Check out these highlights from our digital investigation impact report👇
#FactsMatter #FactCheckingDay
ALT International Fact-Checking Day 2026 Highlights from AFP's annual impact report
🚨 JOB ALERT 🚨
I'm hiring one Philippines reporter and one Myanmar editor to join @AFP's award-winning digital investigation team in Asia. The positions are based in Manila and Bangkok, respectively.
🌏 If you're an enterprising journalist who's passionate about fighting misinformation, is adept at monitoring social media, and wants to join a global news agency, then these roles are for you. Fluency in Tagalog or Burmese is required.
Apply now: afp.com/en/job-openings
Daniel Funke retweeted
Taiwan has been targeted by a wave of disinformation claiming the self-ruled island's gas supplies will soon be depleted due to disruptions from the Middle East war -- a narrative officials say could cause panic and undermine government confidence u.afp.com/SbJL
ALT An oil products tanker sits in a harbour behind two small towers,with mist in the distance
Daniel Funke retweeted
US and Israeli attacks on Iran this week have triggered retaliatory strikes across the Middle East, sparking the spread of misinformation around the world.
Here are some of the claims that our global team has debunked so far 🧵
ALT Smoke rising over buildings at night with lights in the background
Daniel Funke retweeted
Another major US paper pulls out of Asia, almost. Sad. For those in need, we are hiring multiple roles in Beijing, Hong Kong and Taipei. Make sure you check out our jobs page: aboutus.ft.com/careers
Breaking News: The Washington Post began sweeping layoffs that were slated to shrink the scope of the publication. nyti.ms/3NOnxpo
Daniel Funke retweeted
🇹🇭 Thailand is set to hold a general election on February 8, which could lead to its fourth prime minister in less than three years.
AFP has an open-access online course to help journalists combat election disinformation. Start now ➡️️u.afp.com/ElectionsPro
A Sydney man received death threats after he was misidentified as the gunman responsible for the mass shooting at Bondi Beach. He told @denechen he is "terrified" to leave his home france24.com/en/live-news/20…