Arnab Goswami’s Republic Bharat faces criticism for spreading misinformation, hate
New Delhi: Republic Bharat, Arnab Goswami’s news channel, has come under fire for broadcasting alleged misinformation and engaging in communal propaganda. Several recent incidents have raised questions about the channel’s credibility and accountability.
One of the recent controversies involves Republic Bharat airing a fabricated story claiming that former US President Donald Trump called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pleading for help to control wildfires in California. The channel claimed that Modi sent helicopters to assist the US. The story was widely criticised for its lack of evidence, with even the Ministry of External Affairs remaining silent on the matter. Critics questioned the plausibility of helicopters being dispatched from India to the US, labelling the report as absurd.
In another instance, the channel broadcasted visuals using AI-generated images of Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Elon Musk, and Hollywood celebrities like Will Smith and John Cena purportedly taking a dip in the Ganga during the Kumbh Mela. The video also claimed that Muslim countries were alarmed by these developments, further stoking communal tensions. Viewers and media experts have slammed such content as "sensationalist and baseless."
Once a dominant player in the Indian news market, Republic Bharat has witnessed a significant decline in TRP ratings, now ranking fifth behind channels like News18, Aaj Tak, and India TV. To revive its viewership, the channel appears to have resorted to old tactics such as inviting Pakistani panellists on debates to provoke controversies. In one such debate, a Pakistani panellist insulted and mocked the late Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat. Arnab Goswami did not intervene during the remarks, which sparked outrage online but failed to elicit a substantial response from authorities or the public.
Republic Bharat has also been accused of perpetuating anti-Muslim propaganda through its coverage. Analysts argue that the channel consistently airs narratives designed to spread hatred against Muslims, often relying on unverified or fabricated claims. Many believe this contributes to a divisive atmosphere in the country.
These controversies have further tarnished the reputation of Republic Bharat. Media observers have criticised the channel for stooping to sensationalism and misinformation, with some calling it a "low point in Indian journalism." Critics argue that such practices undermine the trust and integrity of the press.
Despite the widespread backlash, Republic Bharat continues its operations without any regulatory intervention giving birth to concerns about the lack of accountability for spreading misinformation. Many viewers are now calling for stricter action against channels that prioritise sensationalism over truthful reporting.
For past year there were hardly anyone watching Arnab's News Channel @republic or @Republic_Bharat
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) January 17, 2025
To revive his channel's viewership, he has adopted old tricks.
1. Arnab invites Pakistanis for debates so that they can abuse Indians, In this particular debate, The pakistani… pic.twitter.com/zIl8wq78xW
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PM did not mention Trump, US; for first time a third country interfered in our matter: Kapil Sibal
New Delhi, May 12 (PTI): Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Monday questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi neither mentioned the US nor President Donald Trump in his address to the nation despite them "interfering" in India's conflict with Pakistan.
Sibal also said the prime minister did not even state how the understanding with Pakistan on halting military hostilities was reached.
Sibal's attack came after Modi's address to the nation in which he sternly warned Pakistan that India will not succumb to nuclear blackmail and sent a clear message to the world -- terror and trade, terror and talks cannot go together.
"Any talks with Pakistan can happen only on terrorism and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir," the prime minister said.
Modi's assertions about not doing trade with Pakistan came minutes after US President Donald Trump said that he told India and Pakistan that his administration will do trade with them only if they end the conflict.
Reacting to the prime minister's remarks, Sibal said, "We all laud the courage of the armed foreces. People of the country salute them for giving a befitting reply to Pakistan. Whenever such terror attack (Pahalgam) takes place, our army will give a befitting reply."
"Some questions arise from the prime minister's address. He neither mentioned the US nor President Trump. Everyone knows that we were told that on May 10, 3:30 pm DGMO Pakistan called our DGMO and then at 5:30 pm Trump made a post on social media. He (Trump) claimed that the 'US mediated the ceasefire...and we were talking with India and Pakistan for the last 48 hours'," Sibal said at a press conference here.
The Independent Rajya Sabha MP also referred to Trump's remarks just ahead of the PM's address to attack Modi.
President Trump on Monday claimed that his administration stopped a "nuclear conflict" between India and Pakistan, adding that he told the two countries America will do a "lot of trade" with them if they stop the conflict.
"And we helped a lot, and we helped also with trade. I said, 'Come on, we're going to do a lot of trade with you guys. Let's stop it. Let's stop it. If you stop it, we're doing trade. If you don't stop it, we're not going to do any trade'," he claimed.
Referring to Trump's remarks, Sibal said Modi did not speak anything on that also.
"He (Modi) said that we have established a new dimension with Operation Sindoor. Yes, for the first time in India's history, a third country interfered in our matter and told us that they will decide what is to be done...you don't even mention how this understanding was reached (with Pakistan)," Sibal said.
"The second thing was that Modi said if Pakistan does such a thing again, we will give a befitting reply, which means terrorism has not been ended, all terrorists have not been killed and it can happen again. Mr. Prime Minister, I would like to say something, Pulwama happened under whose watch? Pahalgam happened under whose watch? Who will take responsibility for it?" Sibal said.
President Trump did not even mention terrorism in his remarks as if it is not an issue, the former Congress leader said.
India and Pakistan have reached an understanding to stop all firings and military actions on land, air and sea with immediate effect after four days of cross-border strikes that triggered fears of a wider conflict.
In a short announcement, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the directors general of military operations of the two countries agreed on the understanding during a call this afternoon.
The decision by India and Pakistan was first made public by Trump in a social media post while claiming that the talks between the two sides were mediated by the US.
