NDTV’s senior editor calls Iran “terrorist regime” in ‘X’ post, deletes after backlash
NDTV’s senior executive editor, who covers foreign affairs, has drawn backlash after in an ‘X’ post he referred to Iran as a “terrorist regime.”
Following backlash the Journalist deleted the post.
This came at a time when India was in talks with the west asian country over passage of Indian oil tankers via the strategic ‘strait of hormuz.’
Meanwhile, tensions in the Middle East continued to escalate.
In the post, Kaul allegedly wrote, “#BREAKING: The Israeli army has launched a massive wave of attacks against the infrastructure of the Iranian terrorist regime across Iran.” The post has since been deleted.
Reacting to the post, netizens criticised and questioned journalistic neutrality.
Though the post was deleted, screengrabs of it continued circulating on social media platforms garnering criticism.
In a report, digital magazine Karvaan India highlighting critics’ concern reported that media ethicists have increasingly cautioned journalists, even when posting on social media in a personal capacity, their messages still reflect their professional roles and affiliations.
Critics warn that ignoring this distinction can compromise journalistic credibility and blur the line between reporting and personal commentary.
According to analysts cited by Karvaan India, the issue also involves significant diplomatic sensitivities.
Experts cited in the report also note that commentary from prominent Indian journalists during such conflicts can carry broader geopolitical implications, especially if it seems to align with the narrative of one side.
Reacting on the development, Author Salman Anees Soz criticised Kaul’s language and described the tweet stating that “it's shocking.”
In an ‘X’ post, he wrote, “It is shocking that a senior editor of a major Indian news organisation is describing the government of a country with which India has diplomatic relations as a ‘terrorist regime’. Journalists are expected to report, not act as spokespersons for one side in a war.”
In another post, Soz wrote, “If @ndtv reporters are calling Iran’s government a “terrorist regime”, then what the h*ll is our foreign minister doing talking to Iran’s Foreign Minister? Why did the Foreign Secretary express condolences at the Iranian embassy?.”
Several social media users also condemned the language used in the post.
“Israeli army but ‘Iranian terrorist regime.’ Aditya, could mistake you for a spokesperson of IDF rather than a journalist,” wrote a user.
“If you’re copy-pasting your headlines from somewhere, give them credit or just repost them. Because no Indian journalist outlet or government official is calling the Iranian regime a ‘terrorist regime’” wrote another user.
Another claimed, “Aditya Raj Kaul has been consistently referring to Iranian government as "terror regime" at least since 4th March.”
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11 Indian nationals charged in US over visa fraud
New York (PTI): Eleven Indian nationals, living illegally in the US, have been charged with visa fraud for conspiring to carry out staged armed robberies of convenience shops, according to US federal prosecutors.
Authorities said the suspects are accused of organising fake robberies for the purpose of allowing the store clerks to falsely claim they were crime victims on immigration applications towards getting a Green Card.
Jitendrakumar Patel, 39, Maheshkumar Patel, 36, Sanjaykumar Patel, 45, Dipikaben Patel, 40, Rameshbhai Patel, 52, Amitabahen Patel, 43, Ronakkumar Patel, 28, Sangitaben Patel, 36, Minkesh Patel, 42, Sonal Patel, 42 and Mitul Patel, 40 have been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit visa fraud.
They all were living unlawfully in various US states such as Massachusetts, Kentucky and Ohio.
Dipikaben was deported to India after unlawfully residing in Weymouth, Massachusetts, the Justice Department said in a statement.
Jitendrakumar, Maheshkumar, Sanjaykumar, Amitabahen, Sangitaben and Mitul were arrested in Massachusetts and released following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston on Friday.
Rameshbhai, Ronakkumar, Sonal and Minkesh were arrested and made their initial appearances in Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio. They will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date.
According to the charging documents, in March 2023, Rambhai and his co-conspirators set up and carried out staged armed robberies of at least six convenience/liquor stores and fast food restaurants in Massachusetts and elsewhere.
It is alleged that the purpose of the staged robberies was to allow the clerks present to falsely claim that they were victims of a violent crime on an application for a U non-immigration status (U Visa).
A U Visa is available to victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and who have been helpful to law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. The U visa offers an immigrant work authorisation and a path to a Green Card within 5–10 years.
Authorities said that in the course of the alleged staged robberies, the “robber” would threaten store clerks or the owners with an apparent firearm before taking cash from the register and fleeing, while the interaction was captured on store surveillance video.
The clerks or the store owners would then wait five or more minutes until the “robber” had escaped before calling the police to report the “crime.”
The “victims” are alleged to have each paid Rambhai to participate in the scheme. In turn, Rambhai allegedly paid the store owners for the use of their stores for the staged robbery.
Rambhai, the “robber,” and the getaway driver were previously charged and convicted.
The 11 defendants charged on Friday are alleged to have either arranged with the organiser to set up each robbery, or paid for themselves or a family member to participate as a “victim.”
The charge of conspiracy to commit visa fraud provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of USD 250,000.
