The mainstream media is once again trying to “fact-check” satire — this time a joke article from Christian satire site The Babylon Bee that mocks the UK.
The Babylon Bee posted a hilarious satire article about “Allahu Akbar” being the most common greeting in the UK, replacing “Cheerio mate” — an obvious joke about the insane number of Muslim migrants practically taking over the UK, which comes after an actual report confirming that Muhammad is now the UK’s most popular baby name for boys.
The original satire article stated: “A recent poll conducted by the University of Oxford just revealed that ‘Allahu Akbar’ has officially replaced ‘Cheerio, mate!’ as the most popular greeting in the UK.”
The article also joked that experts had called the results of the “survey” a “flippin’ landslide, old bean.”
'Allahu Akbar' Replaces 'Cheerio, Mate!' As Most Popular UK Greeting https://t.co/0m3Kj30KH9 pic.twitter.com/8qVTnxGJxD
— The Babylon Bee (@TheBabylonBee) December 5, 2024
Kyle Mann, the editor-in-chief of the Babylon Bee, shared a post on X revealing that he had been contacted by the Reuters fact-check team about the satire article.
“Reuters fact-checkers reached out for comment on our Babylon Bee story about ‘Allahu Akbar’ replacing ‘Cheerio Mate’ in the UK. I tried to help them out,” he wrote in the post.
In the tweet, Mann shared a screenshot of the ridiculous email from Reuters’ fact-check team. The email read: “I’m contacting you from the fact-checking desk at Reuters. We investigate false and misleading claims spreading on social media. Our fact checks can help curb the circulation of misinformation.”
“We’re currently looking into a claim that, sharing a Babylon Bee article, says ‘Allahu Akbar’ has officially replaced ‘Cheerio, mate!’ as the most popular greeting in the UK. I have pasted it below for your convenience,” the Reuters email continued. “We plan to write a fact check to set the record straight. It’s clearly a satirical article but I am reaching out to you should you wish to challenge this or comment in the fact-check article. Please get in touch if you would like to.”
Mann also included a screenshot of his hilarious response, which was in the typical humor of the Babylon Bee.
“This story is true. We stand by its factual accuracy 100%,” the satirist wrote, signing the email with “Allahu Akbar.”
Reuters fact-checkers reached out for comment on our @TheBabylonBee story about 'Allahu Akbar' replacing 'Cheerio Mate' in the UK. I tried to help them out. pic.twitter.com/obHm9qB7cG
— Kyle Mann (@The_Kyle_Mann) December 9, 2024
This comes after Snopes has reportedly fact-checked the Babylon Bee more than 30 times:
