Dunya and DawnNews air fake news

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 18 July 2017 |  JP Staff Reporter

Dunya and DawnNews reported false information regarding the death of Indian soldiers in a clash with China. The reports faced backlash for lack of verification and responsible journalism.

Summary

ISLAMABAD –Dunya Television and DawnNews Monday aired fake news about 158 Indian soldiers being killed in a clash with China in Sikkim. The Chinese media denounced the "groundless" reporting, calling it a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and create unnecessary tension.

The Indian foreign ministry quickly responded, denying the reports and terming them as “utterly baseless, malicious and mischievous.” The ministry emphasized that no such incident had occurred and condemned the irresponsible journalism that led to the spread of false information.

According to reports, old pictures were used in packaging the news as new. This blatant misuse of media resources has raised serious questions about the verification processes at Dunya Television and DawnNews.

Media experts have warned that such incidents can escalate tensions between countries and emphasized the importance of responsible reporting. They urged news organizations to prioritize accuracy and fact-checking over sensationalism.

The incident highlights the growing issue of fake news in the media industry and the need for rigorous standards to ensure the credibility of news outlets.

KEY POINTS:

• Dunya and DawnNews aired misinformation about Indian soldiers.
• Chinese media labeled the news as groundless and misleading.
• The Indian foreign ministry denied the reports as baseless.
• Media experts stressed the need for accurate reporting standards.
• The incident raises concerns over the credibility of news outlets.