Daniel Funke
@dpfunke.bsky.social
🔎 Head of digital investigation for Asia-Pacific @afp.com @factcheck.afp.com • Past lives: USA Today, PolitiFact, Poynter • UGA alum
📍 Hong Kong via DC
factcheck.afp.com
📍 Hong Kong via DC
factcheck.afp.com
Today at 2 pm HKT! Hope to see you there 🔍
🚨 Last chance! Sign up for tomorrow's webinar showcasing the verification techniques behind our award-winning investigation of a network spreading disinformation about the South China Sea ➡️ u.afp.com/SmJS
October 9, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Today at 2 pm HKT! Hope to see you there 🔍
Trump's Washington takeover has drawn misleading comparisons online to former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law in December.
Our @factcheck.afp.com team in Seoul reports on why Trump's actions do not meet that bar: u.afp.com/SQnh
Our @factcheck.afp.com team in Seoul reports on why Trump's actions do not meet that bar: u.afp.com/SQnh
u.afp.com
August 21, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Trump's Washington takeover has drawn misleading comparisons online to former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law in December.
Our @factcheck.afp.com team in Seoul reports on why Trump's actions do not meet that bar: u.afp.com/SQnh
Our @factcheck.afp.com team in Seoul reports on why Trump's actions do not meet that bar: u.afp.com/SQnh
A Palestinian-Canadian who left Gaza last year has become the latest target of an online campaign to deny claims of starvation in the war-torn territory
Palestinian mother 'destroyed' after image used to deny Gaza starvation
Palestinian-Canadian Faiza Najjar was able to leave Gaza last year, but could not bring her four adult daughters with her. She watched from a distance as food shortages in the territory worsened.
www.france24.com
August 14, 2025 at 3:49 AM
A Palestinian-Canadian who left Gaza last year has become the latest target of an online campaign to deny claims of starvation in the war-torn territory
Reposted by Daniel Funke
THREAD:
Social media is full of misrepresented visuals said to show the Texas floods.
I examined two of the most viral video compilations online, and none of their 14 clips show Texas.
They are all old and filmed in places like China, Mexico and Spain.
factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com....
Social media is full of misrepresented visuals said to show the Texas floods.
I examined two of the most viral video compilations online, and none of their 14 clips show Texas.
They are all old and filmed in places like China, Mexico and Spain.
factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com....
July 10, 2025 at 10:16 PM
THREAD:
Social media is full of misrepresented visuals said to show the Texas floods.
I examined two of the most viral video compilations online, and none of their 14 clips show Texas.
They are all old and filmed in places like China, Mexico and Spain.
factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com....
Social media is full of misrepresented visuals said to show the Texas floods.
I examined two of the most viral video compilations online, and none of their 14 clips show Texas.
They are all old and filmed in places like China, Mexico and Spain.
factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com....
🇰🇷 The lead-up to today's presidential election in South Korea was awash in misinformation. Here are some of the top trends our @afpfactcheck.bsky.social team in Seoul has seen www.yahoo.com/news/south-k...
South Korea election hit by misinformation
A photo of the frontrunner bowing to a Mao Zedong statue?For example, photos debunked by AFP journalists showed Lee kowtowing to a Mao statue, and wearing a face mask with the Chinese flag on it.
www.yahoo.com
June 3, 2025 at 4:50 AM
🇰🇷 The lead-up to today's presidential election in South Korea was awash in misinformation. Here are some of the top trends our @afpfactcheck.bsky.social team in Seoul has seen www.yahoo.com/news/south-k...
South Korean police have requested an arrest warrant for a journalist over a false report related to former president Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law. @afpfactcheck.bsky.social has previously debunked the report
S. Korea Police Seek Journalist Arrest Over Martial Law 'Fake Report'
South Korean police said Tuesday they have requested an arrest warrant for a journalist over a false report related to former president Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law.
www.barrons.com
May 20, 2025 at 6:47 AM
South Korean police have requested an arrest warrant for a journalist over a false report related to former president Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law. @afpfactcheck.bsky.social has previously debunked the report
🚨 JOB ALERT 🚨
I'm hiring a journalist based in Hong Kong to join @afpnews.bsky.social's award-winning @afpfactcheck.bsky.social team. If you're a Cantonese or Mandarin-speaking reporter who's passionate about fighting misinformation, this role is for you.
Apply now 👇
I'm hiring a journalist based in Hong Kong to join @afpnews.bsky.social's award-winning @afpfactcheck.bsky.social team. If you're a Cantonese or Mandarin-speaking reporter who's passionate about fighting misinformation, this role is for you.
Apply now 👇
Digital Investigation Journalist – Agence France-Presse – Fixed-term / Temporary in Hong Kong
Agence France-Presse is looking for a Digital Investigation Journalist in Hong Kong!
www.welcometothejungle.com
May 15, 2025 at 8:26 AM
🚨 JOB ALERT 🚨
I'm hiring a journalist based in Hong Kong to join @afpnews.bsky.social's award-winning @afpfactcheck.bsky.social team. If you're a Cantonese or Mandarin-speaking reporter who's passionate about fighting misinformation, this role is for you.
Apply now 👇
I'm hiring a journalist based in Hong Kong to join @afpnews.bsky.social's award-winning @afpfactcheck.bsky.social team. If you're a Cantonese or Mandarin-speaking reporter who's passionate about fighting misinformation, this role is for you.
Apply now 👇
Online rumours of a forthcoming earthquake in Japan have deterred Hong Kong tourists from visiting the country, according to travel firms and airlines reporting less demand
@natfukue.bsky.social and @carinacheng.bsky.social report on the trend for @afpnews.bsky.social:
@natfukue.bsky.social and @carinacheng.bsky.social report on the trend for @afpnews.bsky.social:
'Unscientific' Japan megaquake rumours spook Hong Kong tourists
Unfounded online rumours warning that a huge earthquake will soon strike Japan are taking a toll on travel firms and airlines who report less demand from worried Hong Kongers.- 'No reason to worry' -
...
sg.news.yahoo.com
May 15, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Online rumours of a forthcoming earthquake in Japan have deterred Hong Kong tourists from visiting the country, according to travel firms and airlines reporting less demand
@natfukue.bsky.social and @carinacheng.bsky.social report on the trend for @afpnews.bsky.social:
@natfukue.bsky.social and @carinacheng.bsky.social report on the trend for @afpnews.bsky.social:
India and Pakistan have announced a ceasefire after coming close to all-out conflict, but citizens on both sides are still peddling disinformation.
@afpfactcheck.bsky.social journalists in New Delhi and Islamabad report on some of the top trends our team has seen over the past few weeks
@afpfactcheck.bsky.social journalists in New Delhi and Islamabad report on some of the top trends our team has seen over the past few weeks
No truce in India-Pakistan disinformation war
India and Pakistan have announced a ceasefire after coming close to all-out conflict, but on social media citizens on both sides are vying to control public perceptions by peddling disinformation.
www.france24.com
May 14, 2025 at 1:53 AM
India and Pakistan have announced a ceasefire after coming close to all-out conflict, but citizens on both sides are still peddling disinformation.
@afpfactcheck.bsky.social journalists in New Delhi and Islamabad report on some of the top trends our team has seen over the past few weeks
@afpfactcheck.bsky.social journalists in New Delhi and Islamabad report on some of the top trends our team has seen over the past few weeks
Who's most vulnerable to misinformation? This survey of 66,242 individuals from 24 countries points to "Generation Z, non-male, less educated, and more conservative individuals" (h/t @rachelblundy.bsky.social)
Profiling misinformation susceptibility
The global spread of misinformation poses a serious threat to the functioning of societies worldwide. But who falls for it? In this study, 66,242 indi…
www.sciencedirect.com
April 9, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Who's most vulnerable to misinformation? This survey of 66,242 individuals from 24 countries points to "Generation Z, non-male, less educated, and more conservative individuals" (h/t @rachelblundy.bsky.social)
Happy International #FactCheckingDay! I’m thrilled to be in Bangkok to help CoFact and its civil society partners celebrate facts ✅
April 2, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Happy International #FactCheckingDay! I’m thrilled to be in Bangkok to help CoFact and its civil society partners celebrate facts ✅
🇮🇳🇧🇩 @afpfactcheck.bsky.social journalists in New Delhi and Dhaka have fact-checked hundreds of misleading claims since Bangladesh's autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina was ousted by student protests on August 5.
Here are a few of the top narratives we've debunked.
Here are a few of the top narratives we've debunked.
Sheikh Hasina ouster sparks explosion of false and misleading claims online
YouTube video by AFP News Agency
youtu.be
March 21, 2025 at 1:57 AM
🇮🇳🇧🇩 @afpfactcheck.bsky.social journalists in New Delhi and Dhaka have fact-checked hundreds of misleading claims since Bangladesh's autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina was ousted by student protests on August 5.
Here are a few of the top narratives we've debunked.
Here are a few of the top narratives we've debunked.
🇹🇭🇲🇲 More than a million people have fled Myanmar's brutal civil war to seek shelter and work in neighboring Thailand.
@afpfactcheck.bsky.social journalists in Bangkok report on how nationalists there are using disinformation to fuel prejudice against them
@afpfactcheck.bsky.social journalists in Bangkok report on how nationalists there are using disinformation to fuel prejudice against them
War of words: Myanmar migrants face disinformation in Thailand
More than a million people have fled Myanmar's brutal civil war to seek shelter and work in neighbouring Thailand, where experts say nationalists are using disinformation to fuel prejudice against the...
www.rfi.fr
March 14, 2025 at 4:45 AM
🇹🇭🇲🇲 More than a million people have fled Myanmar's brutal civil war to seek shelter and work in neighboring Thailand.
@afpfactcheck.bsky.social journalists in Bangkok report on how nationalists there are using disinformation to fuel prejudice against them
@afpfactcheck.bsky.social journalists in Bangkok report on how nationalists there are using disinformation to fuel prejudice against them
🚨 JOB ALERT 🚨
I'm hiring an editor based in Dhaka to join @afpnews.bsky.social's award-winning @afpfactcheck.bsky.social team. If you're a Bangla speaker who's passionate about public service journalism and fighting misinformation, this role is for you.
Apply now 👇
I'm hiring an editor based in Dhaka to join @afpnews.bsky.social's award-winning @afpfactcheck.bsky.social team. If you're a Bangla speaker who's passionate about public service journalism and fighting misinformation, this role is for you.
Apply now 👇
Digital Investigation Editor – Agence France-Presse – Fixed-term / Temporary in Dhaka
Agence France-Presse is looking for a Digital Investigation Editor in Dhaka!
www.welcometothejungle.com
March 13, 2025 at 10:39 AM
🚨 JOB ALERT 🚨
I'm hiring an editor based in Dhaka to join @afpnews.bsky.social's award-winning @afpfactcheck.bsky.social team. If you're a Bangla speaker who's passionate about public service journalism and fighting misinformation, this role is for you.
Apply now 👇
I'm hiring an editor based in Dhaka to join @afpnews.bsky.social's award-winning @afpfactcheck.bsky.social team. If you're a Bangla speaker who's passionate about public service journalism and fighting misinformation, this role is for you.
Apply now 👇
A young Frenchman landed in Beijing last month with a leather briefcase that he said contained hundreds of his grandfather's pictures of the Sino-Japanese War.
However, an @afpnews.bsky.social digital investigation found many of the pictures were taken by other people
However, an @afpnews.bsky.social digital investigation found many of the pictures were taken by other people
Frenchman's mislabelled war photos donation sparks China controversy
A Frenchman's donation of vintage conflict photographs to China offers insight into the 1930-1940s Sino-Japanese War -- even if some images are not the unique family heirlooms he believed them to be.A...
www.yahoo.com
March 6, 2025 at 8:57 AM
A young Frenchman landed in Beijing last month with a leather briefcase that he said contained hundreds of his grandfather's pictures of the Sino-Japanese War.
However, an @afpnews.bsky.social digital investigation found many of the pictures were taken by other people
However, an @afpnews.bsky.social digital investigation found many of the pictures were taken by other people
"The threats facing Ellis ... highlight the real-life impact of disinformation for transgender people at a time when there has been a sharp uptick in the political rhetoric against them."
Important story from @anujchopra.bsky.social 👇
Important story from @anujchopra.bsky.social 👇
'Vilified as boogeyman': Disinformation ensnares US trans pilot
Gingerly placing a gun on her kitchen counter, American trans pilot Jo Ellis said she no longer leaves her apartment without a firearm after false online claims about her involvement in a fatal air cr...
www.yahoo.com
March 6, 2025 at 5:12 AM
"The threats facing Ellis ... highlight the real-life impact of disinformation for transgender people at a time when there has been a sharp uptick in the political rhetoric against them."
Important story from @anujchopra.bsky.social 👇
Important story from @anujchopra.bsky.social 👇
New from @afpfactcheck.bsky.social: Scammers are using deepfake videos of President Prabowo Subianto and other public figures to swindle Indonesians out of thousands of dollars
Indonesians swindled by scams using President Prabowo deepfakes
Since last year's Indonesian election, experts have warned of a tidal wave of deepfakes appearing to come from a known person but which are the work of scammers using artificial intelligence tools.
www.channelnewsasia.com
March 3, 2025 at 4:25 AM
New from @afpfactcheck.bsky.social: Scammers are using deepfake videos of President Prabowo Subianto and other public figures to swindle Indonesians out of thousands of dollars
New from @afpfactcheck.bsky.social: From bogus child pornography claims to fabricated support for communism, a deluge of disinformation is targeting a top judge in suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial
Top South Korean judge faces disinformation deluge as Yoon impeachment looms
Bogus child pornography claims, fabricated support for communism and fake posts showing Elon Musk calling for his removal -- a deluge of disinformation is targeting a top judge in suspended South Kore...
www.france24.com
February 19, 2025 at 9:53 AM
New from @afpfactcheck.bsky.social: From bogus child pornography claims to fabricated support for communism, a deluge of disinformation is targeting a top judge in suspended South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial
Reposted by Daniel Funke
My latest @afpnews.bsky.social:
Federal workers are on edge after a conservative group published more than 50 of their names and photos on a “DEI watchlist” that at one point described them as "targets."
The group says it is adding 40 more names tomorrow.
www.yahoo.com/news/federal...
Federal workers are on edge after a conservative group published more than 50 of their names and photos on a “DEI watchlist” that at one point described them as "targets."
The group says it is adding 40 more names tomorrow.
www.yahoo.com/news/federal...
February 11, 2025 at 2:37 AM
My latest @afpnews.bsky.social:
Federal workers are on edge after a conservative group published more than 50 of their names and photos on a “DEI watchlist” that at one point described them as "targets."
The group says it is adding 40 more names tomorrow.
www.yahoo.com/news/federal...
Federal workers are on edge after a conservative group published more than 50 of their names and photos on a “DEI watchlist” that at one point described them as "targets."
The group says it is adding 40 more names tomorrow.
www.yahoo.com/news/federal...
🇵🇭 The Philippines is one of just two countries -- along with Vatican City -- where divorce remains illegal. @araeugenio.bsky.social reports from Manila on how some campaigners are trying to change that
Philippine divorce activists vow to fight on
In her bid to convince lawmakers to legalise divorce, Filipina fruit vendor Avelina Anuran has publicly testified about the abuse she said she regularly endured at the hands of her husband. Despite th...
www.yahoo.com
February 11, 2025 at 8:46 AM
🇵🇭 The Philippines is one of just two countries -- along with Vatican City -- where divorce remains illegal. @araeugenio.bsky.social reports from Manila on how some campaigners are trying to change that
A deluge of disinformation about a flu-like virus called HMPV is stoking anti-China sentiment across Asia and spurring unfounded concerns of renewed lockdowns, @tommywang.bsky.social and @anujchopra.bsky.social report
Virus disinformation drives anti-China sentiment, lockdown fears
A deluge of disinformation about a flu-like virus called HMPV is stoking anti-China sentiment across Asia and spurring unfounded concerns of renewed lockdowns, despite experts dismissing comparisons w...
uk.news.yahoo.com
February 11, 2025 at 5:18 AM
A deluge of disinformation about a flu-like virus called HMPV is stoking anti-China sentiment across Asia and spurring unfounded concerns of renewed lockdowns, @tommywang.bsky.social and @anujchopra.bsky.social report
Reposted by Daniel Funke
We publish a new version (v0.84) of our verification plugin. It improves the keyframes file mode and assistant (both from @veraai_eu), archiving (from #DisinfoArchiving @factchecknet project) and includes a Japanese localization!
February 7, 2025 at 10:03 AM
We publish a new version (v0.84) of our verification plugin. It improves the keyframes file mode and assistant (both from @veraai_eu), archiving (from #DisinfoArchiving @factchecknet project) and includes a Japanese localization!
🧵 As anti-migrant sentiment simmers in Thailand,
@afpfactcheck.bsky.social journalists in Bangkok have debunked multiple social media posts misrepresenting visuals to falsely claim Burmese workers are demanding they be paid double the kingdom's minimum wage
@afpfactcheck.bsky.social journalists in Bangkok have debunked multiple social media posts misrepresenting visuals to falsely claim Burmese workers are demanding they be paid double the kingdom's minimum wage
February 6, 2025 at 9:59 AM
🧵 As anti-migrant sentiment simmers in Thailand,
@afpfactcheck.bsky.social journalists in Bangkok have debunked multiple social media posts misrepresenting visuals to falsely claim Burmese workers are demanding they be paid double the kingdom's minimum wage
@afpfactcheck.bsky.social journalists in Bangkok have debunked multiple social media posts misrepresenting visuals to falsely claim Burmese workers are demanding they be paid double the kingdom's minimum wage
AFP asked DeepSeek what happened on June 4, 1989, the day of the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in and around Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
The app said it "cannot answer that question" www.barrons.com/news/breakou...
The app said it "cannot answer that question" www.barrons.com/news/breakou...
Breakout Chinese AI 'Programmed' To Toe The Party Line
www.barrons.com
January 29, 2025 at 5:11 AM
AFP asked DeepSeek what happened on June 4, 1989, the day of the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in and around Tiananmen Square in Beijing.
The app said it "cannot answer that question" www.barrons.com/news/breakou...
The app said it "cannot answer that question" www.barrons.com/news/breakou...
First day at AFP APAC ✅
Thrilled to join this talented team of journalists in Hong Kong!
Thrilled to join this talented team of journalists in Hong Kong!
January 20, 2025 at 10:53 AM
First day at AFP APAC ✅
Thrilled to join this talented team of journalists in Hong Kong!
Thrilled to join this talented team of journalists in Hong Kong!