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A disturbing video that circulated widely on social media allegedly showing a 75-year-old Muslim man forcibly marrying a 16-year-old girl has been proven to be entirely fictional, according to a detailed investigation by NewsMeter.
The emotionally charged footage showed a visibly distressed young bride in tears as an elderly groom attempted to pull her along. The girl could be heard shouting in Bengali, “I don’t want to go. I don’t want to go with this old man,” in what appeared to be a post-wedding ceremony.
The video quickly gained traction after being shared on X (formerly Twitter) with inflammatory captions that framed the incident as a cultural issue. One user wrote: “A 75-year-old Muslim man marries a 16-year-old girl against her will. Islamic culture display, coming soon to your neighbourhood.”
However, NewsMeter’s fact-checking team has conclusively determined that the video was scripted and created solely for entertainment purposes, rather than documenting an actual forced marriage.
The investigation began with a technical analysis of the video’s keyframes through Google reverse image search. This led researchers to a Reddit thread where users had already identified the content as staged. The thread pointed to a Facebook page called “Wedding Studio” as the original creator of the content.
Upon examining the Facebook page, investigators discovered that its bio explicitly states that all videos produced are scripted and created for entertainment purposes only. The page specializes in dramatized wedding scenarios, often focusing on controversial themes such as significant age differences between couples or unusual marital situations.
Further review of the page’s video library confirmed that the viral clip was indeed part of their staged content. NewsMeter found additional footage from the same scripted marriage scene in the page’s collection, though the complete version of the specific viral segment was not available.
The fact-checking team expanded their investigation by locating a longer version of the viral clip on YouTube, posted by a channel named “AN Media 1” on January 3rd. Cross-referencing revealed that several actors appearing in the controversial video were also featured in other staged content from the same channel, further confirming the fictional nature of the footage.
This incident highlights the growing challenge of misinformation on social media platforms, where scripted or fictional content can be deceptively presented as reality, particularly when overlaid with religious or cultural framings that can inflame community tensions.
Child marriage remains a serious concern in many regions worldwide, with UNICEF estimating that approximately 650 million women alive today were married before their 18th birthday. However, misrepresenting staged content as evidence of such practices can undermine legitimate efforts to address actual cases of forced or child marriage.
NewsMeter has reached out to the Facebook page for additional comment, though no response had been received at the time of publication.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of critical media consumption and the need to verify sensational content before sharing, especially when such content appears to document serious crimes or cultural practices that could promote stereotypes or prejudice against specific communities.
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14 Comments
I appreciate the diligent work done to uncover the truth behind this video. It’s a good reminder that we should be cautious about jumping to conclusions based on emotionally-charged content online. Responsible journalism is vital to counter the spread of disinformation.
Agreed. This case highlights the importance of thorough investigation and verification before amplifying sensitive claims, especially those that could inflame interreligious tensions. Well done to the fact-checkers for their due diligence.
The findings from this investigation are a good reminder of the need for thorough verification before sharing emotionally-charged content online. Unsubstantiated claims around forced marriages can contribute to harmful stereotyping. Fact-checking is crucial to maintain trust and avoid perpetuating disinformation.
Exactly. In today’s digital age, it’s more important than ever to be discerning consumers of information. Fact-checkers play a vital role in debunking false narratives and promoting truth, which is essential for fostering social cohesion.
This case highlights the dangers of jumping to conclusions based on emotive online content. I’m glad the investigation was able to conclusively determine the video was fictional. Responsible reporting and verification are vital to counter the spread of harmful misinformation, especially around sensitive cultural and religious issues.
Well said. Fact-checking is a crucial safeguard against the amplification of unsubstantiated claims that can inflame social divisions. This serves as an important reminder to exercise caution and rely on credible sources when engaging with such sensitive topics online.
This is a concerning case, but I’m glad the investigation found it to be fictional. False claims around forced marriages only serve to fuel tensions and stereotypes. It’s important to rely on facts and verify information before sharing such sensitive stories.
Absolutely, spreading misinformation can have real consequences, especially on issues like this. Fact-checking is crucial to avoid perpetuating harmful narratives.
While the initial video was concerning, I’m glad the investigation determined it was fictional. Sharing unverified claims around forced marriages can perpetuate harmful stereotypes. It’s crucial that we rely on credible sources and avoid fueling social divisions.
You make a good point. Responsible reporting and fact-checking are essential to prevent the spread of misinformation, which can have real-world consequences, especially on sensitive cultural and religious issues.
This is a sobering example of how misinformation can quickly gain traction on social media. I’m relieved the fact-checkers were able to conclusively debunk the claims around this video. It’s a valuable lesson in the importance of verifying information before sharing it.
Absolutely. In today’s digital landscape, it’s crucial that we all exercise caution and scrutiny when encountering emotionally-charged content online. Fact-checking is a vital safeguard against the spread of harmful narratives.
While the initial video was concerning, I’m glad the investigation found it to be fictional. Spreading unverified claims around forced marriages can perpetuate dangerous stereotypes. It’s important we rely on credible sources and avoid fueling social tensions.
Well said. Responsible journalism and fact-checking are essential to counter the spread of misinformation, especially on sensitive cultural and religious issues that can have real-world consequences.