As clashes flared between the Indian and Pakistani forces, New Delhi was slammed by experts, veteran Indian journalists and celebrities for the overwhelming spread of fake news about the events that unfolded.
While India has not commented on the matter, an incident that occurred live on a prominent Indian news channel, NDTV, cast a shadow over the Indian media coverage of the clashes between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
Earlier today, hours, after Pakistan launched its offensive against India, named Bunyan-um-Marsoos, an Indian reporter, made a startling “slip-of-tongue” during a live television broadcast.
The reporter, who had joined the channel via video, accidentally confessed to reporting fake news during the span of the clashes.
He stated that their superiors pressured them to give updates and, after airing fake news, they questioned reporters over it.
“First, they say, ‘Give us an update! give us an update! then they air the fake news and ask us why we reported fake news,” the visibly frustrated reporter said.
The reporter concluded his remark with some inappropriate words and seemed to have been unaware that his microphone was switched on.
This admission provides stark evidence of the misinformation being disseminated by the Indian media during a highly sensitive and volatile conflict.
