Steve Nowottny
@stevenowottny.bsky.social
Journalist. Editor of Full Fact. Paid to say ‘Well, actually…’
Pinned
Are sunbeds really "as dangerous as smoking"?
That's what the Department of Health and Social Care claimed last month, in social media posts such as this one 👇
Yet experts say the claim's misleading.
A short 🧵 (1/4)
That's what the Department of Health and Social Care claimed last month, in social media posts such as this one 👇
Yet experts say the claim's misleading.
A short 🧵 (1/4)
Quite the flypast this evening
February 12, 2026 at 6:29 PM
Quite the flypast this evening
Huge amount of debate today following Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comments on immigration - but what does the data we have actually show?
Here's @fullfact.org's quick primer on the key stats we have on immigration/net migration 👇
Here's @fullfact.org's quick primer on the key stats we have on immigration/net migration 👇
How many immigrants have arrived in the UK in recent years? – Full Fact
The British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe has sparked debate after claiming in an interview that the UK was being “colonised by immigrants”.
fullfact.org
February 12, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Huge amount of debate today following Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comments on immigration - but what does the data we have actually show?
Here's @fullfact.org's quick primer on the key stats we have on immigration/net migration 👇
Here's @fullfact.org's quick primer on the key stats we have on immigration/net migration 👇
Are sunbeds really "as dangerous as smoking"?
That's what the Department of Health and Social Care claimed last month, in social media posts such as this one 👇
Yet experts say the claim's misleading.
A short 🧵 (1/4)
That's what the Department of Health and Social Care claimed last month, in social media posts such as this one 👇
Yet experts say the claim's misleading.
A short 🧵 (1/4)
February 11, 2026 at 5:31 PM
Are sunbeds really "as dangerous as smoking"?
That's what the Department of Health and Social Care claimed last month, in social media posts such as this one 👇
Yet experts say the claim's misleading.
A short 🧵 (1/4)
That's what the Department of Health and Social Care claimed last month, in social media posts such as this one 👇
Yet experts say the claim's misleading.
A short 🧵 (1/4)
Fed up with the endless rain? The paper of record’s weather forecast may not cheer you up…
February 11, 2026 at 7:49 AM
Fed up with the endless rain? The paper of record’s weather forecast may not cheer you up…
"We are in one of those moments of intense fluidity and volatility where anything seems possible, or at least nothing would be entirely surprising"
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Chris Mason: Crunch time for the prime minister
There is universal acceptance in Labour that Sir Keir Starmer's predicament is dire and he confronts immense peril, writes Chris Mason.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 6:58 AM
"We are in one of those moments of intense fluidity and volatility where anything seems possible, or at least nothing would be entirely surprising"
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
This image has been all over social media this week.
But there's no evidence it's real, Reform UK say it's "completely fake" and experts we've spoken to say it was probably created with AI.
See why in our full fact check: fullfact.org/politics/nig...
But there's no evidence it's real, Reform UK say it's "completely fake" and experts we've spoken to say it was probably created with AI.
See why in our full fact check: fullfact.org/politics/nig...
February 6, 2026 at 5:01 PM
This image has been all over social media this week.
But there's no evidence it's real, Reform UK say it's "completely fake" and experts we've spoken to say it was probably created with AI.
See why in our full fact check: fullfact.org/politics/nig...
But there's no evidence it's real, Reform UK say it's "completely fake" and experts we've spoken to say it was probably created with AI.
See why in our full fact check: fullfact.org/politics/nig...
This video has had 1,000s of shares - it claims the new bins it shows in Sheffield require you "to tap your card to pay". But the bins are actually opened with key fobs/key cards given to local businesses and residents.
Our fact check: fullfact.org/politics/she...
Our fact check: fullfact.org/politics/she...
February 5, 2026 at 7:56 AM
This video has had 1,000s of shares - it claims the new bins it shows in Sheffield require you "to tap your card to pay". But the bins are actually opened with key fobs/key cards given to local businesses and residents.
Our fact check: fullfact.org/politics/she...
Our fact check: fullfact.org/politics/she...
Good piece here on the BBC website about the rise and rise of AI 'slop', and how it's transforming/overwhelming social media
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
AI 'slop' is transforming social media - and there's a backlash
Social media has been flooded with fake, AI-generated images and videos. But will the majority of users actually care?
www.bbc.co.uk
February 2, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Good piece here on the BBC website about the rise and rise of AI 'slop', and how it's transforming/overwhelming social media
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What’s the best thing to read to get my head around Moltbook? Recommendations welcome…
February 1, 2026 at 10:03 PM
What’s the best thing to read to get my head around Moltbook? Recommendations welcome…
🪖 How much does the US contribute to NATO?
🗳️ Did the Green Party's bar chart claim add up?
@fullfact.org's latest round-up of fact checks for PA Media is out - as run here by the Southern Daily Echo 👇
www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/nationa...
🗳️ Did the Green Party's bar chart claim add up?
@fullfact.org's latest round-up of fact checks for PA Media is out - as run here by the Southern Daily Echo 👇
www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/nationa...
Fact check: US contributions to Nato and Green Party bar chart claim
Round-up of fact checks from the last week compiled by Full Fact.
www.dailyecho.co.uk
January 31, 2026 at 8:13 AM
🪖 How much does the US contribute to NATO?
🗳️ Did the Green Party's bar chart claim add up?
@fullfact.org's latest round-up of fact checks for PA Media is out - as run here by the Southern Daily Echo 👇
www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/nationa...
🗳️ Did the Green Party's bar chart claim add up?
@fullfact.org's latest round-up of fact checks for PA Media is out - as run here by the Southern Daily Echo 👇
www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/nationa...
Some quite viral social media posts giving the wrong name for the Green Party candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election in the last 24 hours.
The Greens have now confirmed Hannah Spencer will contest the seat.
Our fact check: fullfact.org/politics/gre...
The Greens have now confirmed Hannah Spencer will contest the seat.
Our fact check: fullfact.org/politics/gre...
January 30, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Some quite viral social media posts giving the wrong name for the Green Party candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election in the last 24 hours.
The Greens have now confirmed Hannah Spencer will contest the seat.
Our fact check: fullfact.org/politics/gre...
The Greens have now confirmed Hannah Spencer will contest the seat.
Our fact check: fullfact.org/politics/gre...
This bread bin must be… extremely light, I guess?
January 30, 2026 at 7:52 AM
This bread bin must be… extremely light, I guess?
Lots of claims and counterclaims in recent days about how much the US contributes to NATO, and how its defence spending compares with other NATO countries.
Our new explainer cuts through the confusion and crunches the (various different) numbers...
fullfact.org/world/us-nat...
Our new explainer cuts through the confusion and crunches the (various different) numbers...
fullfact.org/world/us-nat...
January 26, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Lots of claims and counterclaims in recent days about how much the US contributes to NATO, and how its defence spending compares with other NATO countries.
Our new explainer cuts through the confusion and crunches the (various different) numbers...
fullfact.org/world/us-nat...
Our new explainer cuts through the confusion and crunches the (various different) numbers...
fullfact.org/world/us-nat...
Some useful perspective for Westminster watchers after a busy few days in @shippersunbound.bsky.social’s latest piece
January 24, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Some useful perspective for Westminster watchers after a busy few days in @shippersunbound.bsky.social’s latest piece
These viral pictures that appear to show men in balaclavas slashing "migrant dinghies" aren't real, and are probably AI-generated 👇
Our fact check: fullfact.org/immigration/...
Our fact check: fullfact.org/immigration/...
January 23, 2026 at 5:49 PM
These viral pictures that appear to show men in balaclavas slashing "migrant dinghies" aren't real, and are probably AI-generated 👇
Our fact check: fullfact.org/immigration/...
Our fact check: fullfact.org/immigration/...
🚨 NEW: Full Fact analysis of 150+ council reports reveals Labour is likely to struggle to deliver on its pledge to fix a million more potholes each year in England.
Early combined estimates from 85 councils project *no overall increase* in repairs in 2025/26. (1/2)
Early combined estimates from 85 councils project *no overall increase* in repairs in 2025/26. (1/2)
January 21, 2026 at 7:05 PM
🚨 NEW: Full Fact analysis of 150+ council reports reveals Labour is likely to struggle to deliver on its pledge to fix a million more potholes each year in England.
Early combined estimates from 85 councils project *no overall increase* in repairs in 2025/26. (1/2)
Early combined estimates from 85 councils project *no overall increase* in repairs in 2025/26. (1/2)
Reposted by Steve Nowottny
The government has scrapped the third reading of the so-called Hillsborough Law bill after campaigners and some Labour MPs criticised a government amendment to the legislation.
As a result we’re no longer rating this pledge as “appears on track”.
As a result we’re no longer rating this pledge as “appears on track”.
Is the government on track to introduce a ‘Hillsborough Law’? – Full Fact
Full Fact takes a look at whether the government is on track to introduce a ‘Hillsborough Law’, which would introduce a duty of candour on public servants and authorities.
fullfact.org
January 19, 2026 at 2:27 PM
The government has scrapped the third reading of the so-called Hillsborough Law bill after campaigners and some Labour MPs criticised a government amendment to the legislation.
As a result we’re no longer rating this pledge as “appears on track”.
As a result we’re no longer rating this pledge as “appears on track”.
AI continuing to fuel online misinformation in new ways...
Facebook posts with 1,000s of views are claiming to show doctors from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust endorsing weight loss patches - but the videos aren't real, they're made with AI.
fullfact.org/health/fake-...
Facebook posts with 1,000s of views are claiming to show doctors from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust endorsing weight loss patches - but the videos aren't real, they're made with AI.
fullfact.org/health/fake-...
January 19, 2026 at 8:04 AM
AI continuing to fuel online misinformation in new ways...
Facebook posts with 1,000s of views are claiming to show doctors from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust endorsing weight loss patches - but the videos aren't real, they're made with AI.
fullfact.org/health/fake-...
Facebook posts with 1,000s of views are claiming to show doctors from Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust endorsing weight loss patches - but the videos aren't real, they're made with AI.
fullfact.org/health/fake-...
💥 The Guardian, BBC News and Telegraph have corrected stories claiming research showed screen time damages toddlers’ speech, after @fullfact.org got in touch.
(The study showed a correlation between screen time and smaller vocab, not that one caused the other.)
fullfact.org/health/scree...
(The study showed a correlation between screen time and smaller vocab, not that one caused the other.)
fullfact.org/health/scree...
Government research doesn’t prove screen time ‘damages’ toddlers’ speech – Full Fact
A study found a correlation between very high screen time and lower vocabulary in two-year-olds, but it didn’t say that one caused the other.
fullfact.org
January 16, 2026 at 7:57 AM
💥 The Guardian, BBC News and Telegraph have corrected stories claiming research showed screen time damages toddlers’ speech, after @fullfact.org got in touch.
(The study showed a correlation between screen time and smaller vocab, not that one caused the other.)
fullfact.org/health/scree...
(The study showed a correlation between screen time and smaller vocab, not that one caused the other.)
fullfact.org/health/scree...
Lots of verified and sometimes graphic videos coming out of Iran at the moment, but this isn't one of them.
Despite claims to the contrary, the footage - of a woman with a burning portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader - was filmed in Canada.
fullfact.org/conflict/wom...
Despite claims to the contrary, the footage - of a woman with a burning portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader - was filmed in Canada.
fullfact.org/conflict/wom...
January 15, 2026 at 8:17 AM
Lots of verified and sometimes graphic videos coming out of Iran at the moment, but this isn't one of them.
Despite claims to the contrary, the footage - of a woman with a burning portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader - was filmed in Canada.
fullfact.org/conflict/wom...
Despite claims to the contrary, the footage - of a woman with a burning portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader - was filmed in Canada.
fullfact.org/conflict/wom...
💥 Great to see both the Guardian and Daily Mail their amend articles about the junk food ad ban to make its scope clearer, after @fullfact.org got in touch.
Ads for plain porridge oats aren't affected by the ban, though some “less healthy” porridge products may be.
fullfact.org/health/porri...
Ads for plain porridge oats aren't affected by the ban, though some “less healthy” porridge products may be.
fullfact.org/health/porri...
Ads for plain porridge oats have not been banned – Full Fact
News reports this week claimed that ads for porridge will be restricted by new legislation—but the ban only affects porridge products that score highly in a “less healthy” test.
fullfact.org
January 13, 2026 at 6:11 PM
💥 Great to see both the Guardian and Daily Mail their amend articles about the junk food ad ban to make its scope clearer, after @fullfact.org got in touch.
Ads for plain porridge oats aren't affected by the ban, though some “less healthy” porridge products may be.
fullfact.org/health/porri...
Ads for plain porridge oats aren't affected by the ban, though some “less healthy” porridge products may be.
fullfact.org/health/porri...
‘Recreate the vibe while you read…’
Slightly unexpected multimedia feature here halfway through this political long-read from The Times
Slightly unexpected multimedia feature here halfway through this political long-read from The Times
January 11, 2026 at 10:04 AM
‘Recreate the vibe while you read…’
Slightly unexpected multimedia feature here halfway through this political long-read from The Times
Slightly unexpected multimedia feature here halfway through this political long-read from The Times
New Year, familiar claim. Which still isn't quite right...
Alex Burghart is the latest member of the Conservatives’ shadow cabinet to claim unemployment is up “every single month” under Labour.
But that’s not quite right - here’s what the figures show:
But that’s not quite right - here’s what the figures show:
Unemployment has increased under Labour, but it hasn’t risen ‘every single month’ – Full Fact
Conservative shadow cabinet minister Alex Burghart claimed on LBC that unemployment has gone up “in every single month” under Labour, but that’s not quite right.
fullfact.org
January 9, 2026 at 5:59 PM
New Year, familiar claim. Which still isn't quite right...
Deepfakes of politicians may be relatively commonplace these days, but this is a little different - an AI-generated video (with 5m+ views and thousands of comments) which appears to show an entirely fabricated House of Commons scene.
Our fact check: fullfact.org/politics/par...
Our fact check: fullfact.org/politics/par...
January 8, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Deepfakes of politicians may be relatively commonplace these days, but this is a little different - an AI-generated video (with 5m+ views and thousands of comments) which appears to show an entirely fabricated House of Commons scene.
Our fact check: fullfact.org/politics/par...
Our fact check: fullfact.org/politics/par...