
A viral video circulating on social media, which purports to show BBC News reporting on an Indian passenger attempting to hijack an Israel-bound flight, has been confirmed as a deepfake. The footage, which uses the branding and aesthetic of the British broadcaster, has been debunked by fact-checking organization BOOM Live after the BBC confirmed that the video was never produced or aired by their network.
The misinformation follows a genuine and widely reported security incident involving a stabbing on an Israel-bound flight. According to verified reports, passengers and crew intervened during the attack, with one passenger describing the experience as a 'rollercoaster' and another detailing how they placed the attacker in a chokehold to prevent further harm. The incident has drawn significant international attention, with officials investigating the attacker's background and motives.
While the underlying event—a violent altercation on an Israel-bound aircraft—is a matter of public record, the deepfake video appears to be an attempt to exploit the high-profile nature of the story to spread disinformation. Experts warn that the use of sophisticated AI-generated content to mimic established news outlets is an increasing challenge for media literacy. Viewers are encouraged to verify breaking news through official channels and established, independent news networks rather than relying on unverified social media clips.
Multiple trusted sources confirm that a stabbing incident occurred on an Israel-bound flight, and the fact-checking outlet BOOM Live has verified that the viral video circulating as 'BBC reporting' on the incident is a deepfake. The BBC has explicitly denied producing or airing the footage in question.
Original report: BOOM Live