Last fakes of the week
03 August 2026
The retaliation Trump didn’t promise: How the ONT distorted his remarks on Iran
An excerpt from an interview with Donald Trump about the U.S.-Iran standoff was aired on ONT’s program Nashi Novosti. However, the Russian translation attributed words to the U.S. president that he did not actually say, including references to retaliation, plans for a larger-scale war, and a reduction in U.S. air defense stockpiles and long-range munitions. However, the original was edited to exclude Trump’s critical evaluations of Iran’s military situation.
misrepresentation, USA, Iran, All-National TV channel, Donald Trump, war, politics.
01 August 2026
1.8 centners became a 1.8-fold increase: How Belarusian state media inflated farming results
The Belarusian state media discussed the harvest campaign and agricultural efficiency. Political analyst Aliaksei Bialiajeu stated that crop yields this year had risen almost 1.8-fold. Professor Iryna Novikava claimed that Belarus is practically on par with Lithuania in terms of wheat yields. In the former case, however, the figure referred to an increase of 1.8 centners per hectare, not a 1.8-fold increase. In the latter case, the comparison is not supported by official data.
misrepresentation, Belarus, Lithuania, Belarus Today, Alpha Radio, First national channel of Belarusian radio, Aliaksei Bialiayeu, Iryna Novikava, economy, achievements, agriculture.
31 July 2026
“It caused damage to refineries in Europe.” A Belarusian Radio expert presented an isolated case of contamination in Azerbaijani oil as a routine occurrence
Professor Iryna Novikava claimed on a Belarusian Radio show that Azerbaijani oil must be blended with Russian oil. Otherwise, she said, it damages European refineries. In fact, Azerbaijani oil is of higher quality. It is also more expensive than Russian Urals crude. The damage cited by the guest as an example was an isolated incident.
misrepresentation, Russia, European Union, Azerbaijan, First national channel of Belarusian radio, Iryna Novikava, economy, petroleum.
30 July 2026
Cheap doesn’t mean affordable: News.by misrepresented a cost-of-living ranking as a measure of affordability
The hosts of the Main Broadcast program on the First News Channel stated that Minsk is exceptionally attractive in terms of its balance of well-being and spending. They cited Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index as evidence. However, this ranking only compares price levels. To determine a city’s affordability for its residents, you need to consider another indicator: the local purchasing power index.
misrepresentation, Belarus, The First News Channel news.by, economy, achievements.
29 July 2026
“The fee isn’t going up.” Political analyst Lazutkin was wrong about tuition fees at Belarusian universities…
Political analyst Andrei Lazutkin made this statement on the program Azaryonok. Napryamuyu that tuition fees for paid university programs in Belarus have not increased in many years. The WTF team reviewed tuition fees at the largest public universities and found that education costs have risen almost every year since 2020.
misrepresentation, Belarus, YouTube show Azaryonok. Directly, Andrey Lazutkin, education.