New Delhi : In a troubling display of media irresponsibility, several mainstream Indian television channels, including Republic TV, CNN-News18, and Zee News, have come under fire for branding a madrassa teacher as a “terrorist” after he was killed in cross-border shelling by Pakistan. The deceased, identified as a religious educator from the Poonch region of Jammu and Kashmir, was reportedly offering prayers at the time of the incident, reported the Madhyamam.
According to ground reports and local sources, the man had no links to militancy and was known in his community as a respected madrassa teacher. However, shortly after the shelling, sensationalized coverage by these channels portrayed him as a terrorist without verification, sparking outrage among local residents and rights activists.
Social media users and independent journalists have also criticized the media outlets for jumping to conclusions and tarnishing the image of an innocent civilian. Activists argue that such misreporting not only undermines journalistic ethics but also endangers communal harmony and further stigmatizes the Muslim community.
Legal experts have called for a regulatory framework to ensure accountability in media reporting, especially in sensitive conflict zones. Human rights groups have also demanded a formal apology from the news channels involved.
