Dubious horror scenarios flood the media. It's clear who they serve

An investigation by Ronen Bergman reveals a distribution chain of a fake news item about Iran's 'admission' of developing nuclear weapons, originating from an Indian blogger and receiving an official stamp in Netanyahu's speech. Additionally, a month-long broadcast review identified 15 threat stories, five within 48 hours, based on anonymous sources without data or dissenting voices, raising questions about their timing ahead of the elections.

An investigation by Ronen Bergman, published in Yedioth Ahronoth and ynet, reveals a documented distribution chain of a fake news item. About a week ago, a dramatic quote attributed to Ahmad Vahidi, a senior IRGC commander, was published, claiming Tehran admitted for the first time to developing nuclear weapons. An extensive search found no source for the quote, which originated from a far-right blogger in India. The quote made its way to an Israeli account, then to Channel 14, and later was cited by Prime Minister Netanyahu in a public speech, giving it an official stamp. From there, it reached three Republican congressmen and Fox News, which had to issue a series of corrections and clarifications. Netanyahu's office did not deny it was fake. Additionally, a review of broadcasts on electronic media over a month (July 12 to August 12) identified 15 threat stories, five within 48 hours (August 9-11), based on anonymous security sources, threatening scenarios, with almost no data or dissenting voices. The investigation raises questions about the timing of the publications ahead of the elections, although there is no evidence of an organized fear campaign.