It all started with a social media post that sparked confusion and speculation. The claim was bold: Netflix had reportedly donated a whopping $7 million to Kamala Harris’ campaign.
But was it true?
The buzz grew louder as the story spread, leaving many wondering how deep Netflix’s political involvement ran. Could a company that entertains millions really throw such enormous financial support behind a candidate?
The truth, however, turned out to be much more personal—and surprising.
After diving deep into the investigation, we uncovered a twist. It wasn’t Netflix itself that made the donation. The answer came from Reed Hastings, Netflix’s co-founder and executive chairman. He confessed during an interview with The Information: after watching a particularly disheartening debate, he felt compelled to act. “After the depressing debate,” Hastings admitted, “we are in the game again.” And with that, he made his largest personal contribution ever—$7 million.
But here’s the catch: this was not Netflix’s doing! It was Hastings’ personal endorsement. Reputable media outlets quickly clarified the distinction: Netflix, the company, had no hand in the donation. It was purely Hastings’ decision.
The conclusion? The viral claim that Netflix itself funneled $7 million into Kamala Harris’ campaign is completely false. Instead, it was Reed Hastings, acting on his own, who made the generous contribution to her 2024 run.
The lines between corporate and personal blurred for a moment, but the facts set the story straight.
When President Tinubu nominated Professor Joash Amupitan as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, social media erupted. “He was Tinubu’s lawyer during the 2023 election case!” users claimed, warning that democracy was in danger. But is the outrage based on fact?
Verification: WABMA reviewed the Certified True Copies of both the Presidential Election Tribunal and Supreme Court judgments from the 2023 election petitions.
Amupitan’s name does not appear among the lawyers listed for Tinubu, Shettima, or the APC. Instead, the records show Professor Taiwo Osipitan (SAN) — a University of Lagos law professor — as one of the legal counsels.
The similarity between the surnames Osipitan and Amupitan seems to have caused the mix-up. No court record, statement, or credible media report links Amupitan to Tinubu’s legal team.
Today, we proudly mark the 100th edition of the WABMA Fake News Debunker — published consistently in audio, video, and text formats.
This milestone is more than just a number. It is a testament to our resilience, commitment, and belief in the power of truth. For nearly two years, through changing tides and persistent challenges, we have worked tirelessly to expose misinformation, challenge disinformation, and protect the public discourse in West Africa.
Fake news undermines democracy, endangers lives, and erodes trust. That is why we have stayed the course — week after week — empowering citizens with facts, and strengthening media literacy across communities.
Thank you to every researcher, producer, presenter, and supporter who made this possible. The work continues — because truth still matters.
🚩 Are popular skin-whitening injections in West Africa genuine and safe to use? 🚩 Is Nigeria’s Central Bank planning to scrap old Naira notes soon? 🚩 Has the COVID-19 variant XEC already spread to Nigeria?
In this episode, we dive deep into these viral claims to separate facts from fiction. Don’t fall for fake news—get the truth you need right here!