It has now been proved that you cannot be safe from the onslaught of fake news even as you endure the coronavirus crisis. You may not trust WhatsApp forwards or other social media platforms, but what do you do when news channels on TV give you unverified information. Whom do you trust?
Most importantly, why are national news channels airing unverified news? Just yesterday, a Aaj Tak, a national Hindi news channel declared a living person, dead. Now we’ve all heard of death hoaxes before, but never from a news channel. Unverified information about someone’s death by a news channel, especially in such times, can cause great amounts of anxiety and distress to the person’s family, friends, relatives and neighbours.
However, Aaj Tak, without corroborating information, took it upon themselves to air ‘breaking news’ that Defence Colony Resident Welfare Association (RWA) President passed away due to coronavirus.
But Singh was alive and kicking! He tweeted his displeasure with the wrongful reportage saying:
Aaj Tak I am the President of Defence Colony Welfare Association and alive as of now. Are you reading my near future. Idiots wake up. pic.twitter.com/rjHoq8RFCm
— Major Ranjit Singh (@MajorRanjitSin2) April 15, 2020
He also asked the news channel to apologize to him and his family for the distress caused by the news or prepared to be sued.
Idiotic people I am very much alive. I am Major Ranjit Singh (Veteran), President Defence Colony Welfare Association. Apologize or be prepared to be sued. My family members are distressed. pic.twitter.com/7VAKhX1CcZ
— Major Ranjit Singh (@MajorRanjitSin2) April 15, 2020
However, the army veteran proved he had a golden heart. After Major Singh confirmed that he was indeed alive, the journalist apologized for this mistake. While people were expressing their opinion to Major Singh on the incident, either saying that they would help him file a complaint or asking him to sue the channel, he said that he had forgiven the journalist after he had apologized.
I think it was a genuine mistake by the Aaj Taj Journalist, working under stress during these trying days. The journalist has apologised which I have accepted and bear him no grudge. As a Fauji I have learnt how genuine mistakes take place and need to forgive
— Major Ranjit Singh (@MajorRanjitSin2) April 16, 2020
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