National News

TMC MP Saket Gokhale Shares Fake News Card Attempting To Fact-Check India Today; Gets Fact-Checked

August 23, 2024
The Commune

On 22 August 2024, India Today reported that the CBI told the Supreme Court of a coverup in the Kolkata medical intern rape and murder case. TMC Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale dismissed the report as fake news, but it was later exposed that he used a fake fact-check card, misleadingly attributed to India Today, in his defence. The media outlet has since clarified that they did not issue the card, but Gokhale hasn’t apologised for spreading misinformation.

The India Today Report

India Today reported that CBI informed Supreme Court that the seminar hall where the Kolkata medical intern was raped and murdered had been compromised. They also noted that the CBI stated categorically that there was a coverup. This news was shared by India Today reporter Akshita Nandagopal on her social media platform X.

Saket Gokhale Misinforms

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale, who has a history of peddling fake news in his previous avatar as an activist, claimed that the news reported was fake and only for ‘sensationalism‘. He wrote, “Fake news for sensationalism.  I’ve been watching every minute of the proceedings & the court has NOT observed anything of this sort (no matter what CBI says). Been silent for the last 9 days but it’s time to call out the brazen fake news being run by this channel.”

He put out an image that was allegedly a fake news check by India Today. The image card ‘debunked‘ a claim that Kolkata Police had “vandalised all evidences pertaining to the case“. The image card, posted by India Today’s Anti-Fake News War Room, shared the truth regarding this claim. It said, “CBI in its official report has stated all investigating documents and scene of crime were videographed by Kolkata Police. No evidence has been tampered.”

India Today Retorts

It appeared later that someone had been impersonating India Today’s fake news checking unit! India Today’s official handle stated, “India Today Fact Check has not issued these postcards. Our old template and logo have been misused to create such posts. You can find our fact-check stories on our official websites and social media accounts.”

Akshita Nandagopal, in a post replying to Saket Gokhale, wrote, “Hi @SaketGokhale, I choose to largely ignore your obviously motivated posts, but this is FAKE- it’s not India Today’s property… amazing that you don’t FACT CHECK before tweeting If only TMC MPs spent as much time ensuring justice for Abhaya as much as they’re spending on social media”

Despite learning that he had (albeit) inadvertently shared a fake ‘fact check‘ card, Gokhale has not responded or apologized for making the allegations against India Today.

This seems to be a prevalent trait among leftists, anti-nationals, and pro-Congressis who claim one thing, spread fake news, and then when exposed, do not apologize or issue a rectification or delete their post.

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