Fact check: Altered image shows CBS article about the 'super-rich' gathering in Davos
The claim: Image shows CBS article about the 'super-rich' gathering in Davos
A Jan. 20 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) shows what appears to be a CBS News article.
"As the super-rich gather in Davos, online conspiracy theorists make bizarre claim that the world is run by the super-rich," reads the supposed article's headline, which is attributed to the Associated Press and shown via a screenshot of a Jan. 19 tweet.
The Facebook post's caption reads: "What a headline."
The post garnered more than 800 shares in four days. Meanwhile, the original tweet garnered more than 1,000 likes in five days. Similar versions of the claim have been shared on Instagram.
Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks
Our rating: Altered
The image has been digitally fabricated. CBS never published an article with such a headline, according to spokespeople for CBS and the Associated Press.
Image shows fake article
Global leaders and business executives attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, during the week of Jan. 16 to discuss challenges currently facing the world. Outside the meeting, protesters gathered to demand climate justice and taxation of the rich, according to The Washington Post.
But CBS did not cover the event using the headline shown.
The CBS website doesn't show the article featured in the Facebook post, nor did the outlet share any articles with this headline on social media. Instead, the outlet republished an article written by the Associated Press headlined "As elites gather in Davos, conspiracy theories gain traction online."
This article was published the same day as the supposed article featured in the Facebook post.
Nicole Meir, an AP spokesperson, directed USA TODAY to this article when asked about the legitimacy of the Facebook post. Meir said there have not been any changes to the article's headline since its publication. Web archives confirm this.
Fact check: CNN headline about Damar Hamlin cardiac arrest was digitally altered
April Andrews, a CBS spokesperson, told USA TODAY something similar in an email.
"CBS News never ran the headline that is circulating on Twitter," Andrews said, directing USA TODAY to the same article as Meir.
USA TODAY reached out to the user who shared the post for comment.
This claim has been debunked by Reuters as well.
Our fact-check sources:
USA TODAY, Jan. 17, 2023 World Economic Forum meeting underway in Davos, Switzerland
The Washington Post, Jan. 16, As Davos forum begins, Oxfam calls for ‘billionaire-busting’ taxes
Nicole Meir, Jan. 24, Email exchange with USA TODAY
April Andrews, Jan. 25, Email exchange with USA TODAY
World Economic Forum, Dec. 22, 2022, What is Davos? Here’s everything you need to know about the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting
Associated Press, Jan. 16, As elites gather in Davos, conspiracy theories thrive online
CBS News, Jan. 16, As elites gather in Davos, conspiracy theories gain traction online
CBS News (web archive), Jan. 16, As elites gather in Davos, conspiracy theories gain traction online
Reuters, Jan. 23, Fact Check-Fabricated CBS News headline that ‘world is run by the super-rich' shared online
Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.
Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: Fabricated image shows CBS article about the 'super-rich'