Indian Media Fiasco: Unfounded Claims on Nijjar Case Expose Erosion of Journalistic Standards
Paul Riverbank, 1/10/2025Indian media outlets amplified false claims of the release of four accused in the Nijjar murder case without verification, eroding public trust and journalistic integrity.The Indian media landscape was awash with a deluge of false reports claiming the release of four Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh-Canadian activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Outlets ranging from the venerable Times of India to the more partisan "Godi" media aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government amplified the erroneous claims without fact-checking.
"It is not true that the four accused have been released on bail," Ann Seymour of the BC Prosecution Service emphatically stated. "All four accused were detained, and they continue to remain in custody." The next court appearance is scheduled for February 11th and 12th.
The false narrative appears to have originated from misinterpreted social media rumors, with one tweet garnering nearly 300,000 views before being debunked. Several outlets linked the claims to a supposed collapse of the Canadian police case or a failure to oppose bail for the accused: Karan Brar, Amandeep Singh, Kamalpreet Singh, and Karanpreet Singh.
Critics have decried an erosion of journalistic standards and press freedom under Modi's populist, Hindu-centric government. The emergence of the "Godi" media, aggressively partisan outlets adhering to government narratives, has been a concerning development. However, even esteemed publications like the Times of India failed to verify the claims before publication.
The Nijjar case has strained relations between Canada and India, with mutual expulsions dramatically reducing diplomatic presence. Canada accused the Modi government of fomenting violence and intimidation in Canada, including acts of murder, arson, extortion, and assault. Investigators are reportedly examining potential links between the four accused and at least four other killings in Canada, including that of an 11-year-old boy.
As the fallout from the false reports continues, it underscores the importance of responsible journalism and fact-checking, especially in an era of rapidly spreading misinformation. The Indian media's failure to verify claims before amplifying them has eroded public trust and credibility—a cautionary tale for news outlets worldwide.
