Media analysis Archives

The dark underbelly of YouTube ‘news’ channels: Staged vox pop, planted debates, recurring faces & BJP links

Oishani Bhattacharya & Pawan Kumar24th December 202524th December 2025

In July, after self-styled godman Premanand Maharaj made some sexist remarks on women who are involved with multiple men, a video of two women’s reaction to the controversy grabbed much attention…

Imran Khan’s sister slammed Pak Army chief Asim Munir? Media picked up deepfake and ran it as news

Abhishek Kumar9th December 20259th December 2025

A clipping from an interview of Aleema Khanum, sister of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, is going viral. It is being claimed that in the chat with Sky News,…

Misreport by Zee News: Showing old video, channel claims Muslim doctors boycotted after Nov 10 Delhi bast

Pawan Kumar28th November 2025

On November 15, 2025, Zee News ran a news bulletin claiming that the call for boycotting “terrorist Muslim doctors” after the Delhi blast was yielding results. The channel reported that…

NBDSA orders removal of Zee News’ ‘Mehendi Jihad’ reports, pulls up Times Now Navbharat for ‘Love Jihad’ bulletin

Shinjinee Majumder8th October 20258th October 2025

Acting on two specific complaints, the News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) has come down heavily on Zee News and Times Now Navbharat over reports on ‘Mehendi Jihad’ and…

Sonam Wangchuk did not call for Nepal-like violence in Ladakh; media reports, Amit Malviya’s claim false

Abhishek Kumar4th October 20258th October 2025

After the September 24 violence in Ladakh, a 15-second clip of a speech by activist Sonam Wangchuk went viral on social media. Several major media channels also aired it claiming…

USAID Controversy: Shows by Republic, CNN-News18, Times Now had clear partisan bent

Ankita Mahalanobish12th September 2025

In February 2025, when US President Donald Trump and his former adviser Elon Musk claimed that $21 million was disbursed to influence India’s electoral process under Joe Biden’s administration, several…

Nepal ex-PM Jhalanath’s wife in hospital after arson attack; Indian media declare her ‘dead’

Pawan Kumar12th September 202512th September 2025

Amid the unrest in Nepal, Indian media channels reported that former PM Jhalanath Khanal’s wife was killed after protesters had set fire to their house. Most of them mentioned her name…

Assam Tribune rejects column critical of BJP & Himanta, asks veteran journalist to ‘focus only on Meghalaya’

Indradeep Bhattacharyya12th August 202512th August 2025

Within hours of sending in her bimonthly column to The Assam Tribune on the violation of human rights and ‘dehumanization’ of Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, veteran journalist Patricia Mukhim was…

UAE’s ‘new policy’ for Golden Visas leaves Indian media red-faced: How it all started

Ankita Mahalanobish22nd July 202522nd July 2025

In the first week of July, several media outlets misreported that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was introducing a new nomination-based Golden Visa. According to these reports, Indians could enjoy…

‘Involved with a Muslim man?’ Radhika Yadav’s killing by father sparks flurry of misleading communal claims

Shinjinee Majumder15th July 2025

On July 10, 2025, 25-year-old Radhika Yadav was allegedly shot dead by her father, Deepak Yadav, in her own home in Gurugram. Yadav shot at her three times with his…

Media analysis

‘Namaz by truck driver causing traffic jam’: Zee News fined for false, communal reporting

Italian rhythmic gymnast’s video falsely viral as Indian athlete Shubhashree More