The Bihar police on Friday arrested two men named Sultan Aazmi and Shehjad in connection with a viral video which recorded people raising pro Pakistan slogans in Bihar’s Araria, soon after the Lok Sabha by polls, which RJD won.
This is the video in question:
अररिया लोकसभा सीट सरफराज आलम के जीतने पर पाकिस्तान जिंदाबाद और भारत तेरे टुकड़े होंगे के नारे लगे। pic.twitter.com/9rEtNEdRGx
— Prashant Umrao (@ipumrao) March 15, 2018
Soon after the video went viral, alleged fact-checking website “Alt News” decided to carry out a fact-check of the audio present in the footage, to claim that it raised suspicion. Here the website analysed the “waveform” of the corresponding audio and extrapolated on the lack of video audio sync in the footage.
After carrying out its technical analysis, the “fact-checking” website concluded that the video raised several red flags, thereby trying to raise questions regarding its authenticity.
Such claims though have now suffered a blow, after media reports have quoted Bihar’s DGP KS Diwedi as confirming that the Araria tape isn’t doctored. As per the soundbite provided by Diwedi, two out of three accused have been arrested. Coming to the video, he claimed that it was being forensically tested and that it didn’t look doctored as the accused too aren’t denying the allegations.
Just to point out forensic reports provide inputs about technical aspects of the video which are then taken into consideration by the police to frame specific charges and collect evidences. While detailed forensic report is awaited, police, based on the accused’ lack of denial have suggested that the video is not fake.
Another report which too carried similar claims, has quoted the DGP as saying that initial investigation is confirming the guilt of those accused.
To strike another blow on Alt News’ claims, some twitter users raised questions over the analysis employed by the website:
Home grown James Bond @free_thinker‘s propaganda blog does a forensic test of Araria video. In the report they mention ffmpeg as a video editing tool.
One who is doing a forensic analysis of a video should at least know that ffmpeg IS NOT AN EDITING TOOL. NOT AT ALL.
— Dr. Nattha (@theFirstHandle) March 17, 2018
Incidentally such a modus oprendi to try and declare a video as fake was also employed by “certain elements” during the whole JNU anti-national slogan chanting fiasco. This later was exposed as propaganda when the footage was revealed to be accurate.
When it comes to such video clipsm it is very much possible that certain vested elements choose to employ “technical whataboutry” to try and mislead people by seeking refuge in double meaning terminologies. One such example being insinuating that an edited video clip is bound to be a fake one, while such an assertion cannot be further from the truth.
Almost every clip available on TV channels or media websites is edited in one form or another to make it more watchable or to ensure that relevant sections are aired, which doesn’t imply any malicious intent.
