Wrote: Fatbardh Dema
On the social network TikTok, on Sunday (September 21), distribute a material with the claim that it was a survey conducted by the "Polis Institute", which presented the percentage of support for the candidates for mayor of Podujeva. The post was published by the account with the name "podujevax"
According to the table published in this video, Shpejtim Bulliqi from the Vetëvendosje Movement was in first place with 57.1% of the votes. In second place was Ekrem Hyseni from the Democratic League of Kosovo with 27.9%, while Isak Shabani from the Democratic Party of Kosovo was in third place with 11.4%. Finally, a category with 3.6% was also marked, which was claimed to belong to other candidates in the race.
What's wrong with this survey?
After fact-checking conducted by hibrid.info, it was confirmed that this poll is false.
After conducting online research, hibrid.info did not find any survey published by credible media with this data (see here).
Also, hibrid.info found that there is an institute named -Polis in Kosovo, but the aforementioned survey does not appear to have been conducted by this institute (here).
Visual manipulation
In the published graph, Bulliq's percentage (57.1%) is presented with an area that covers only half of the circle, which visually falls to 50%, and not 57.1%. So, the percentages are marked, but the graph is drawn incorrectly. ((see photo below)
To clearly illustrate this discrepancy, hibrid.info has recreated the graphic with the same percentages stated in the image. The correct visual result clearly shows the differences and proves that the material published on TikTok was manipulated. (see illustrative photo below)
Analyze:
A fake poll, attributed to the “Polis Institute,” was shared on TikTok regarding support for the candidates for mayor of Podujeva. It claims that Shpejtim Bulliqi is leading with 57.1%, followed by Ekrem Hyseni with 27.9% and Isak Shabani with 11.4%, while 3.6% was attributed to other candidates.
After verifying the facts, it was confirmed that this poll does not exist in credible sources and does not appear to have been conducted by the Polis Institute in Kosovo. Furthermore, the graphics were manipulated, Bulliq's percentage (57.1%) was visually presented as only 50%.
Based on its work methodology, hibrid.info assesses this content as "Fake News".
Reasoning:
The “Fake News” rating is given to informational content that is entirely fabricated or that contains factually incorrect claims or information. Content that is rated as fake news can be defined as having been created and distributed with the intent to misinform the public, i.e., to present a claim that is completely false as fact.