Fact-Checker Mohammed Zubair exposes ABP News for liking Islamophobic post on X
New Delhi: Mohammed Zubair, journalist and co-founder of the fact-checking website Alt News, on Tuesday revealed that mainstream news channel ABP News had liked an Islamophobic post on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter).
Zubair posted a screenshot on his X account showing the 'likes' section of ABP News' handle, which included a controversial post by a popular right-wing account named BALA, with the username @erbmjha. The post featured a video of Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticizing Muslims, although he did not mention them explicitly. BALA’s caption read, “Modi ji ghuspethiye aur jihadiyon ko pel rahe hai” (Modi ji is screwing intruders and Jihadis), which was clearly intended to refer to Muslims. The caption further added, “Zubair will start crying in 3..2..1..”
ABP News, which has over 13.8 million followers on X, has often been categorized as part of 'Godi Media,' a term used to describe media outlets perceived to be favorable towards Prime Minister Modi's policies. The user BALA is known for spreading false information, propaganda, and Islamophobic content through his social media accounts.
Zubair's revelation prompted backlash from social media users who condemned ABP News for liking such a post. They expressed disappointment that a major news outlet, expected to be unbiased and uphold democratic values, would engage in this kind of activity.
“A news portal which is supposed to be unbiased liking an Islamophobic post is a testimony that media for the citizens no longer exists in India. They all have surrendered to the supreme leader,” one user commented.
Hello @ABPNews pic.twitter.com/9cpBK7TQJy
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) May 21, 2024
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RCB secure IPL playoff berth with 23-run win against Punjab Kings
Dharamsala (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru rode on fluent half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Venkatesh Iyer, along with a decisive opening spell from pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, to thrash Punjab Kings by 23 runs and seal a playoff berth in the IPL here on Sunday.
Kohli (58 off 37 balls), Iyer (73 not out off 40 balls) and Devdutt Padikkal (45) produced impactful knocks as RCB piled up 222 for 4 in 20 overs.
Bhuvneshwar (2/38) then removed the dangerous Punjab Kings opening pair of Priyansh Arya (0) and Prabhsimran Singh (2) early to all but shut the door on the opposition, who eventually managed 199 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Pacer Rasikh Salam (3/36) compounded Punjab Kings' misery by dismissing skipper Shreyas Iyer (1) in the fourth over as the hosts slumped to 19 for 3.
Late-order batters Shashank Singh (56 off 27 balls) and Marcus Stoinis (37 off 25 balls) attempted to revive the innings with a counter-attacking effort, but the towering RCB total ultimately proved far beyond PBKS' reach.
Earlier, Kohli stitched together a 76-run stand with Devdutt for the second wicket to lay the foundation before adding another 60 runs with Venkatesh for the third wicket as table-toppers RCB delivered yet another authoritative batting display.
Brief Scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: 222 for 4 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 58, Devdutt Padikkal 45, Venkatesh Iyer 73 not out; Harpreet Brar 2/35).
Punjab Kings: 199 for 8 in 20 overs (Cooper Connolly 37, Suryansh Shedge 35, Marcus Stoinis 37, Shashank Singh 56; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2/38, Rasikh Salam 3/36).
