India is being exposed for its smear campaign and propaganda against Pakistan. The Indian media has been hand in glove with the racist BJP regime in its hate campaign against Pakistan.
The EU DisinfoLab had uncovered a massive network of Indian propaganda which was used to target Pakistan. Now the British media regulatory authority Ofcom has fined controversial Indian journalist Arnab Goswani and his channel for spreading anti-Pakistan content and hate speech. The firebrand and vocal critic was slapped with a fine of 20,000 pounds for failing to comply with broadcasting rules.
Goswami and his channel are hugely popular in India sympathetic with the BJP regime and often targets Pakistan on flimsy reasons. While the Indian regulatory would not take action against the complete disregard for journalistic standards and ethics, the UK regulator deemed a programme aired in September 2019 when Indian sent a failed lunar mission as “hate speech against Pakistani people and derogatory and abusive treatment”.
The British regulatory received several complaints and the channel was asked to given an apology on air. But the half-hearted apology was deemed insufficient and it was barred from airing the programme. The show featured a discussion after India was left red-faced after its lunar mission failed in its ambition to land on the moon. Instead, the channel used the occasion to target Pakistan.
This is a landmark case that content should not spread, incite, promote or justify intolerance towards any community among viewers. The UK is known for its freedom of media and the code of conduct does not prohibit criticism of another country or citizens but should not spill over into blatant abuse.
Arnab Goswami is no stranger to controversy and has introduced a new form of journalism that spreads baseless accusations against anyone he does not agree with. Earlier this month, an Indian court ruled that his TV channel had manipulated TRPs just to get more ratings. The Indian media seems to have lost its journalistic principles and ethics just to stay ahead.
The ruling should be a reminder that while the Indian media can escape accountability at home, viewers are watching around the world and are beginning to realize that hate speech cannot be tolerated. It is just a matter of time before the world rejects the Indian narrative.
