The Infographics Show is a YouTube channel – with nearly 8 million subscribers – that claims to present facts in a fun and entertaining way. Some weeks ago, the channel uploaded a video about Carlos Ghosn’s situation, talking about his escape from Japan to Lebanon.
Ironically, for a channel that claims to present facts, they had blatant false information in the infographic video.
Carlos Ghosn was the former CEO of the Nissan Motor that accused him of fraudulent activity and corrupt practices, all of which he denies.
He was arrested in Japan and held in detention for over 100 days, awaiting his trial, until subsequently escaping to Lebanon, his home country.
In the youtube video of Infographics Show, the general tone was overly aggressive, accusing, and at times sarcastic. It only showed one side of the story and didn’t hold back from slandering Ghosn’s character.
Ghosn was portrayed as an unethical criminal with a luxurious taste for life, think Leonardo Di Caprio in the Wolf of Wall Street movie.
As the video narrator was listing some of the things Ghosn was accused of, he made him look like an unsatiable man. He said, “Because when you’re a greedy scam-artist, apparently, you can’t help yourself.”
Usually, when one claims to present facts, all which is related to the context are expected to be presented; otherwise, the balance tips heavily to one side, representing what is called prejudice.
As of yet, no court has rendered its judgment. The universal law “Innocent until proven guilty” applies, if not judicially in all countries, at least morally and rationally.
In addition, the video depicted Lebanon as a country in the Arab Gulf by showing men wearing the Khaleeji thobe, which is not the Lebanese clothing.
According to that video, Ghosn was telling Khaleeji men – whom it meant as Lebanese people – that he is seeking political asylum, which is also “factually” inaccurate.
An asylum seeker is someone who flees his/her own home country to a foreign country for the right of international protection.
A little bit of research about it could have gone a long way for the video producers to get their facts straight.
First, Carlos Ghosn is Lebanese and thus can’t possibly be claimed a “political asylum” seeker in his home country.
That’s not little known to the world. The international mainstream media has spoken about it for months, hence everyone knows it by now.
Second, Lebanon is not located in the Arab Gulf, and Lebanese people don’t dress like those in the Gulf countries whose clothing style ensued initially from their desert climate.
One has only to google Lebanon to know that it is not a desert, its sea is the Mediterranean, it has mountains covered in snows during winter, it boasts lakes, rivers, and forests, and that the Lebanese are reputable worldwide for their trendy fashion style.
Many reacted to the video in the comment section of that youtube video channel:
“Dude the guy is Lebanese, he can’t seek asylum in his home country!! Unusually, your story is full of gaps this time. Very under-researched.” – Lorans Abood
“Why has infographics been so aggressive lately?” – Jubilee
“The amount of false information is incredible! If I can know enough about this, then I think the infographic show is stereotyping on purpose.” – Fouad Alhajj Hassan
“It’s pronounced “Ghou- Sin”” – Taylor Daccache
And several comments were about the dress code of the ‘Lebanese’ in the video:
- “A couple of fun facts: Lebanese aren’t gulf Arabs, we don’t dress like that, and we don’t live in tents.” – Hadi Bendakji
- “8:57 did he land in Dubai. Or Saudi ? Lol what’s this. Check your sources.” – TeamJoMo
- “The outfits depicting “Lebanese” are really for people from the Gulf. Check your facts.” – Nassif Kazan