Zee News is back in the limelight for allegedly peddling fake news through a ‘doctored video’ once again. This time the channel broadcast a video claiming that Pakistan Zindabad slogans were chanted in an election rally of Navjot Singh Sidhu in Rajasthan recently.
The channel also tweeted a video in support of its claim. Its tweet read, “WATCH- Shocking! Pak supporters shout ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogan in Navjot Singh Sidhu rally.”
Within minutes of Zee News broadcasting its doctored video, the Congress reacted angrily as party leader Randeep Singh Surjewala posted the original video of Sidhu’s speech mocking Prime Minister Narendra’s claims on Make in India. Sidhu mimicking Modi had prompted Sikh supporters to chant slogans ‘Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Shri Akal.’
Surjewala wrote, “Bhakt Channels have taken over prime positions in the Dirty Tricks Department of the BJP. First ’Fake News Factory’ of @republic & @timesnow spread Falsehood,now @ZeeNews has tweeted an absolutely doctored video of @sherryontopp!
Sharing with you Original Video- Sat Sri Akal!”
Bhakt Channels have taken over prime positions in the Dirty Tricks Department of the BJP.
First ’Fake News Factory’ of @republic & @timesnow spread Falsehood,now @ZeeNews has tweeted an absolutely doctored video of @sherryontopp!
Sharing with you Original Video-
Sat Sri Akal! pic.twitter.com/f8BLNNHrZv— Randeep Singh Surjewala (@rssurjewala) December 3, 2018
Left embarrassed, the channel soon deleted its tweet. But, by then many social media users had been able to download the video and share it on Twitter. You can watch the alleged doctored video below.
Interestingly, the Zee News anchor hosting the show even went to the extent of asking why Sidhu was quiet when the alleged Pakistan Zindabad slogans were being chanted in his rally. This prompted the other female anchor to conclude that perhaps Sidhu was so surprised by the act that he lost his voice!
Meanwhile, Sidhu has told reporters that he planned to file a defamation case against the channel.
In 2016, Zee News was accused of peddling another doctored video to defame JNU students, accusing them of having chanted anti-India slogans. Later, forensic reports had established the channel had broadcast a doctored video.
Not too long ago, Arnab Goswami’s Republic TV and BJP President Amit Shah were caught peddling fake news on Congress manifesto for Telangana, which goes to polls the same day as Rajasthan.
(This story has been updated with the comments being attributed to Sidhu)