Original title: WAS THE ONE-LANGUAGE PLAQUE OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AWARDED TO VARDAR PLAYERS BY ZAEV, LEFT IN THE GOVERNMENT?
Description of the disinformation: Vardar players did not receive plaque of acknowledgement, awarded by the Government
Various speculations heated the festive atmosphere in which the supporters and the public was celebrating the Champions title won by Vardar.
On June 4, 2019, the Member of the Parliament from VMRO-DPMNE, Dimitar Stevanangija wrote on his twitter account: “They did not took it, it was left in the Government building” showing the picture of the plaque of acknowledgement awarded by the Government.
The information was soon overtaken by a number of media outlets that by referring to the MP Dimitar Stevanangija, published the news that Vardar players did not receive the plaque of acknowledgement awarded by the Government.
Link to the article: media outlets
The joy of celebrating the European Champions league title, surfaced a number of anomalies on domestic scene starting from hate speech, through speculations and orchestrated propaganda, which contributed to additional electrifying of the anyhow polarized atmosphere in the society.
In the focus this time was a public figure, i.e. a Member of the parliament who brought to a question his moral integrity in public, through serving a speculation on his tweeter account. The media, probably led by his moral integrity as a Member of Parliament, stumbled. Without prior confirmation and checking the claim of Dimitar Stevanangija on the social media, they have disseminated the disinformation very fast.
The speculation was revealed fast after it was published. The daily Sloboden pecat revealed that it is a fake news. In accordance with the statement made by the Executive director of RK Vardar, Davor Stojanovski for this outlet, it was confirmed that it is a disinformation: “We took the plaque, it is in front of me at this moment” stated he for Sloboden Pecat. This was also confirmed by the Government.
The Public figures, especially MP’s need to lead by example. Their moral integrity is significant for the society as a whole. They must not be the source of speculations, as well as the reason for spreading propaganda with untruths.
The media on the other hand, in accordance with the Code, the journalists have to check the information and source of their texts and publications. The public must not be manipulated.
