FG did not give ASUU fake alert

Claim: A message that recently went viral on social media said, “Breaking, ASUU receives fake alert from Federal Government. Embarking on a three-year Strike.” Verdict: False. The message is fake as the image was created using an online tool called breakyourownnews.  Banditry: Inside the fire engulfing northern Nigeria Banditry: Four Kaduna Female Students spend 10 […]

Claim: A message that recently went viral on social media said, “Breaking, ASUU receives fake alert from Federal Government. Embarking on a three-year Strike.”

Verdict: False. The message is fake as the image was created using an online tool called breakyourownnews. 

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Full text

Following the commencement of a month industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), due to what it termed government’s attitude towards the renegotiation of their salaries and allowances as well as the adoption of the University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) payroll software, an image that looks like a screengrab from a news item emblazoned with the words “Breaking, ASUU receives fake alert from Federal Government. Embarking on three years Strike” has been shared by different users on social media. 

Verification

A Google reverse image search did not reveal any news item that would suggest the union received any fake alert from the federal government, but rather brought up social media handles that posted the image.

The screengrab, though without the logo of the channel that was presented, has been believed by posters with comments describing the federal government as now engaging in cyber fraud with another urging members of ASUU to check their statement of account before making conclusions.

Further checks by Daily Trust revealed that the image was created through an online tool called breakyourownnews.

Its website had a prototype of images created through the platform urging users to out words for ‘Headline’ and ‘ticker.’ 

It added that ‘The Breaking News Meme Generator—Today’s top story… you! Or, whatever you want. Add your pic, write the headline and we’ll go live to the scene. Sort of.”

It however added that “This app is intended for fun, humour and parody—be careful what you make and how it may be shared. You should avoid making things which are unlawful, defamatory or likely to cause distress. Have fun and be kind!” 

Conclusion

The claim that ASUU received a fake credit alert from federal government is fake. The tool with which it was created pointed out that contents created on it was for fun and should not be taken seriously.