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| - Last Updated on June 3, 2024 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A video on social media claims Dr Devi Shetty was attacked recently on TV. We did the fact check and termed it as False.
The Claim
A video on Facebook claims that renowned cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Shetty was attacked during a television interview. The video shows a man attacking another person and features the logo of the news channel Aaj Tak. It includes a clip of Dr. Shetty allegedly discussing the incident and promoting a plant-based medicine to prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Fact Check
Was Dr. Devi Shetty really attacked on TV?
No, the claim video is not real and Dr Devi Shetty was not attacked on TV. It is a manipulated video created to spread misinformation. A keyword search for “Dr. Devi Shetty plant-based medicine for cardiovascular diseases” did not produce relevant information. We found no credible sources supporting the claims in the viral video.
To verify the authenticity of the video: We conducted reverse image searches that led us to a 2017 News Nation video showing late Swami Om involved in a brawl, with no mention of Dr. Devi Shetty or plant-based medicines. In another search we found an NDTV Profit video, which was shared on 24th November 2022, where Dr Shetty discusses cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and health insurance. But it does not mention any attack or plant-based heart medicines. Additionally, we found an Al Jazeera video, shared on 1st June 2012, which is showing Dr. Shetty working in a hospital in Bangalore without referencing any attack or promotion of plant-based medications.
Furthermore, a closer look at the video reveals there is a lack of lip-syncing. This again confirms that the video is AI generated and not real. This is a manipulated video which combines different clips from old news media. It also adds AI-generated audio to create a false narrative.
Who is Dr Devi Shetty?
Dr Devi Prasad Shetty is a renowned Indian cardiac surgeon and healthcare entrepreneur. As the founder and chairman of Narayana Health, he has established a network of 21 medical centres across India. Well known for his expertise, Dr Shetty has performed over 100,000 heart surgeries throughout his career. He has contributed significantly to make healthcare in India affordable. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2004 and the Padma Bhushan in 2012, two of the country’s highest civilian honours.
Why is false information harmful, especially in healthcare?
False information is a significant threat in healthcare, particularly in India where people tend to rely on social media for information. There’s a worrying tendency to trust misinformation viral on social media channels. This trend is especially concerning for marginalised communities, who often lack the financial and intellectual resources to access accurate healthcare information. Even the educated ones fall prey to superstitions, quackery and self treatment. Due to limited access to reliable healthcare resources, people usually turn to social media for health advice, making them vulnerable to misinformation. As a consequence, they might make uninformed decisions about their health, which results in adverse health outcomes. Moreover, the widespread trust in false healthcare information undermines the efforts of healthcare professionals and institutions to provide accurate medical guidance. This further worsens the challenges in managing public health issues in our country.
Traditional medical systems such as Ayurveda and Yoga have been practised for centuries and have shown effectiveness in promoting health and well-being. But, it’s important to acknowledge that misinformation and pseudoscience also circulate under the name tag of these alternate medical sciences. Ayurveda and Naturopathy have their place in holistic healthcare, but unfounded claims and unverified treatments can mislead individuals. This often leads to potentially harmful practices. Thus, before trusting any health information on social media, it’s essential to critically evaluate the same. Also, it’s always best to seek guidance from qualified healthcare professionals to ensure safe and effective healthcare decisions.
How can people tell the difference between reliable and misleading health info online?
In an era where social media and online platforms dominate the flow of information, differentiating between credible and misleading health information is extremely important. This ensures informed decisions about one’s well-being. One effective approach is to carefully evaluate the source of the information. People can check for credentials and expertise of the individuals or organisations sharing it. To add more, seeking information from reputable sources such as government health agencies, medical organisations, and peer-reviewed journals can help ensure accuracy and reliability. It’s also important to stay away from sensationalised claims or promises of quick fixes. Most of the time, these indicate misinformation. By staying aware, vigilant and verifying information before acting on it, people can protect themselves better from the likely harms of false health information circulating online.
Conclusion
The viral video claiming that Dr Devi Shetty was attacked during a TV interview is a deepfake. Dr Shetty was not attacked on television for promoting any plant-based drugs. This incident highlights the increasing prevalence of deepfake technology in spreading false information.
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