Main content

Factchecking claims that 400 churches were burned to the ground in France

Looking into the numbers behind claims of attacks on churches.

In certain corners of the internet some suspicious numbers are cropping up again and again. People claiming that 400 churches have been burnt to the ground or attacked in an assortment of countries, including France, the US and Canada. So, what is going on? Is there a spate of anti-Christian crime sweeping the globe?

We look into what the data actually tells us.

If you've seen a number in the news you think we should take a look at, email moreorless@bbc.co.uk

Presenter: Tim Harford
Producer: Lizzy McNeill
Sound engineer: Dave O'Neill
Editor: Richard Vadon

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Sun 7 Jun 202611:50
BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa

More episodes

Previous

Debunking the claim that migrants will get half of new homes

Next

Education, Education, Education (and immigration)

See all episodes from More or Less

Broadcasts

  • Sat 6 Jun 202605:50
    BBC World Service except Australasia, East and Southern Africa, East Asia & South Asia & Live News
  • Sun 7 Jun 202605:50
    BBC World Service East and Southern Africa
  • Sun 7 Jun 202609:50
    BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa only
  • Sun 7 Jun 202611:50
    BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa, Europe and the Middle East & West and Central Africa

Unlock the history and truth behind the data with The OU

Unlock the history and truth behind the data with The OU

Explore how numbers shape, and sometimes mislead us, with The Open University.

When can you trust statistics?

When can you trust statistics?

BBC Ideas discovers three easy ways to help make sense of statistics.

Podcast

  • More or Less

    Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics used in everyday life