A photo shared on Facebook allegedly shows a Global News article claiming that Alberta’s new premier Danielle Smith was being charged with hate speech over claims about unvaccinated discrimination.  

Verdict: False

The screengrab is digitally fabricated. A spokesperson for Global News confirmed the article was fake.

Fact Check: 

Danielle Smith was sworn in as the premier of Alberta on Oct. 11, becoming Alberta’s third female premier and nineteenth overall, according to Reuters. After being sworn in, she commented that unvaccinated Canadians “have been the most discriminated against group that I’ve ever witnessed in my lifetime,” echoing criticisms levied against the former premier Jason Kenney and his COVID-19 policies during his tenure, CBC reports.

A Facebook post appears to show an article from Global News reporting that Smith would be charged with hate speech after making comments about discriminated towards unvaccinated people. “Danielle Smith could be charged with hate speech after claims about unvaccinated discrimination, experts say,” the alleged headline reads.

“Stop trying to manufacture another crisis to distract from the UNSCIENTIFIC #mandates & restrictions that were placed on the right & freedoms of our people,” the post’s caption reads in part.

There are no matching search results for the headline on the Global News website or on any of the outlet’s verified social media accounts. Check Your Fact found no credible news reports from Global News or other outlets to verify the claim.

The article appears to be an edited version of a completely different article for Global News titled “Emergencies Act probe: Trudeau calls invocation ‘necessary’ amid civil rights group concerns.”

A spokesperson for Global News confirmed in an email to Check Your Fact that the article was fake. (RELATED: Did Global News Publish This Article Saying That Omitting Pronouns From Email Signatures Is Bigotry?)

This is not the first time a fake article attributed to Global News has been circulated on social media as true. Check Your Fact recently debunked an image allegedly showing an article claiming gardening was a sign of “far-right extremism.”