Last fakes of the week
20 March 2026
“Ukraine plans to slash parental leave ninefold.” News.by misrepresented the initiative for additional parental leave
The host of the First Information TV Channel reported that in Ukraine, there’s a push to shorten parental leave from three years to just four months. The Weekly Top Fake team discovered that the proposal was not about abolishing current parental leave, but rather about introducing additional paid leave.
fabrication, Ukraine, First Information TV Channel news.by, children, demography.
19 March 2026
Although the authorities fulfilled the plan by only one third, GDP growth over the five-year period was presented on ONT (All-National TV) as a success.
The state-run TV channel ONT presented Belarus’s GDP growth over the past five years as evidence of positive economic dynamics.However, the news story did not mention that the authorities had expected a much higher result. The discrepancy between planned and actual growth has persisted for years.
concealment, Belarus, All-National TV channel, economy, statistics.
16 March 2026
“There is no money left for basic groceries.” CTV passed off a rise in the exchange electricity price as a tariff increase in Latvia
According to the CTV TV channel, electricity prices in Latvia have risen by 83% this winter. After paying for utilities, residents allegedly barely have money left for groceries. The Weekly Top Fake team found that a rise in the exchange price of electricity was presented as an increase in tariffs for households. Fixed rates for most consumers have not changed; however, bills have increased primarily due to higher electricity consumption in cold weather.
misrepresentation, Latvia, CTV TV channel, economy, rising prices, utility bills.
14 March 2026
“Having more than one husband is permitted.” A Belarusian radio guest twisted China’s marriage norms
Political scientist Tatiana Solodovnikova said on Belarusian Radio that, in some Chinese provinces, women are officially allowed to have multiple husbands to increase the birth rate. In fact, Chinese law entrenches the principle of monogamy, and polygamy is associated with former local customs. It is now officially prohibited.
misrepresentation, China, First national channel of Belarusian radio, Tatiana Solodovnikova, traditional values.
13 March 2026
Belarusian Radio fake: Ukrainians choose Belarus over “paradise life in Europe”
On Belarusian Radio, it was claimed that Ukrainians who have opted to leave their country and are disappointed with life in Europe are increasingly choosing Belarus as a place to live. This conclusion was drawn on the program Ekspertnyi Klub after comparing the number of people entering Belarus with projections of those expected to leave Ukraine. However, these figures do not indicate the scale of permanent resettlement or whether Belarus has become a primary destination for Ukrainian...
misrepresentation, Ukraine, Belarus, European Union, First national channel of Belarusian radio, Uladzimir Kazakou, Solomon Bernstein, Mikita Bialenchanka, war, refugees.