In its live telecast during the Budget Speech, NDTV claimed that Corporate Tax has been reduced from 18% to 15% which was later widely circulated on social media platforms.
However, the truth is that Nirmala Sitharamam in her budget speech had proposed reduction of Alternate Minimum Tax Rate for Cooperative Societies from 18.5% to 15%. (Not Corporate Tax).
News Channel NDTVs screenshot was shared by PIB in a tweet to debunk the claim “Fake news is being spread about reduction of Corporate Tax in budget. The government has proposed to reduce the Alternate Minimum Tax rate for cooperative societies to 15% from the current 18.5%”
This is not the first time NDTV has run fake news. Earlier, Ravish Kumar had to apologise for spreading fake news about paddy procurement by govt after a letter was issued by Press Information Bureau (PIB) to NDTV.
Recently also, NDTV said John Hopkins University has published a report saying India may see 25 crore cases in next 3 months. However, the University clarified that it hasn’t given any such report.
NDTV had even reported in its breaking news that a mob attacked Tanishq Store in Gandhidham, Gujarat. However, PIB clarified that no such incident took place in any Tanishq Store.
Given the history of fake news being run by NDTV, it is a question of concern whether it can be called a reliable news channel by the public or not.
Interestingly and ironically, NDTV runs its own Fact-Check also and actively fact checks govt schemes, initiatives and drives.
Twitter users condemn the habitual fake reporting by NDTV and state that “The God of Fake News @NDTV is back with Fake News”. Some have tweeted that “Fake News are a part and package of @NDTV”
