US envoy criticizes Indian news channels for chaos

Sergio Gore claims Indian news channels surpass American media in broadcasting fake news.

International media has often criticised Indian news channels for their reporting, but now, American diplomat Sergio Gor's comments have completely exposed the truth about Indian news channels.

Sergio Gor, speaking at an event of an English newspaper in New Delhi, said,

I love going home and watching Indian TV news shows. As the night progresses, these shows become increasingly chaotic. At 6 PM, eight people are debating in a programme. By 10 PM, 12 people are speaking simultaneously, and you can't actually hear anyone.

Gor also stated,

Some of the news shown on Indian channels surpasses even America's fake news problem. Initially, they thought fake news based on false and misleading information was a serious issue in America, but Indian news channels have shocked them. Indian news channels are a step ahead of America in broadcasting fake news.

Speaking on various issues at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum held in New Delhi, Gor diplomatically reviewed Indian prime-time TV. He expressed surprise that so many people could be shouting simultaneously in a single programme and still technically be part of a debate. After Gor's comments on social media, many users speculated that he made these remarks after watching the debate show of renowned Indian TV anchor Arnab Goswami.

Gor said,

It is incredible that in Indian news channel debate shows, no one seems to interrupt anyone.

American cable news is also no stranger to loud voices, heated debates, and shouting. However, it seems that even experienced people in this field place Indian prime-time in a completely different category, where more than ten people speak at once.

From the same platform, Gor also claimed that during the G7 summit in France, before the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs had planned for the media to only record the initial statements of both leaders and not allow journalists to ask questions. Trump was informed about this arrangement in advance and agreed to it. Shortly before this, a commercial ship was caught in an attack by the US Navy in Hormuz, resulting in the death of three Indian sailors. Prime Minister Modi directly raised this incident in his conversation with Trump.

Gor said, “We were backstage. At one point, only the President and I were present. He asked me what issues the Indian side was going to raise. We discussed some topics.”

He further explained,

“President Trump asked if the Indians had any special requests. The Ministry of External Affairs had only one request—to allow the media inside, but not to make it a press conference. I told the President that the Indian side did not want any questions. He said, fine, no problem.”

According to Gor, “The meeting began, and the media came in with about 50 cameras. The President was seated on one side and the Prime Minister on the other. Both spoke for a few minutes. But as soon as the initial statements ended, Trump perhaps forgot about the pre-decided arrangement and plan. He looked at the journalists and asked, ‘Any questions?’ This turned the limited media interaction into a 45-minute-long press conference. There has been no response yet from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs regarding the ‘no questions’ request.”

Gor's tone was more positive regarding India-US relations. Discussing the personal relationship between Trump and Modi, he said that cooperation in areas like trade, defence, energy, and space is continuously strengthening between the two countries. Additionally, Washington is emphasising making high-level talks with New Delhi more regular. Gor mentioned that Trump still remembers the support Modi gave him during his four years out of power. He also noted the growing partnership between India and the US in future lunar missions. The two countries are collaborating in several sectors, including aviation, defence, pharmaceuticals, and energy. According to Gor, the Quad remains “extremely important.” This year, there are likely to be five ministerial-level conferences, whereas last year, there was not even one.

Having recently visited Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, Gor previously described Jammu and Kashmir as “an integral part of India.” His comments on this region, a long-standing subject of dispute between India and Pakistan, have once again stirred diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad.