New Delhi: The New York Times (NYT) Wednesday deleted a tweet posted over the arrest of Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami after it drew flak for calling the ruling party in Maharashtra, the Shiv Sena, a “progressive political party”.
While tweeting its article titled, ‘TV Journalist Is Arrested as Assaults on Press Freedom Rise in India’, the American publication posted: “One of India’s most famous TV journalists, the conservative anchor Arnab Goswami, was arrested on charges of abetting a suicide in Mumbai, where a progressive political party is in power. The move was criticised by some as an attempt to muzzle the press.”
The NYT tweeted the article at 5.30 pm IST Wednesday, by which time it had been retweeted more than 600 times and had been ‘liked’ by over 1,000 users.
Later in the evening, the publication issued a clarification, saying it “mischaracterized the political party that currently controls Mumbai”.
“An earlier version of this article mischaracterized the political party that currently controls Mumbai. It is an opposition party, not a progressive opposition party. The error was repeated in our tweet. We’ve deleted the incorrect tweet,” stated the correction.
Correction: An earlier version of this article mischaracterized the political party that currently controls Mumbai. It is an opposition party, not a progressive opposition party. The error was repeated in our tweet. We’ve deleted the incorrect tweet.
— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 4, 2020
The Maharashtra Police arrested Goswami Wednesday morning in connection with a 2018 ‘abetment to suicide’ case of an architect and his mother. His channel is also among the parties accused in a TRP manipulation scam.
The reference to the Shiv Sena, which leads the ruling coalition consisting of the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party, as a “progressive political party” invited a lot of criticism for NYT.
Among the critics was author Rashmi Niranjan Desai, who said she needed a laugh as this was the first time the Shiv Sena was called “progressive”.
I needed a laugh. Thank you @nytimes once again. Whoever has written this has no idea of Indian politics. Shiv Sena is progressive? This is the first time, let alone the nation, the first time SS has heard this about themselves! https://t.co/dTO3r8FZji
— Rami Niranjan Desai (@ramindesai) November 4, 2020
Other Twitter users also made similar comments.
Ha ha ha. Balasaheb Thackeray will have a scotch tonight. https://t.co/MkqcAqoUzk
— Rahul Pandita (@rahulpandita) November 4, 2020
Shiv Sena is progressive only. Kisi aur zamane mein stand up comics pit chupke hote Shivaji ka naam lene ke liye. Ab sirf online harassment, rape threats and death threats milta hai. Is that's not progressive, idk what is https://t.co/1gT763VFXB
— aantel elgort (@BucketheadCase) November 4, 2020
Other reactions
A Twitter user, who goes by the handle rsrikanth05, asked: “How is the Shiv Sena, a party that kept beating up couples on Valentines Day because it was ‘against our culture’, was accused of crimes against Muslims in a communal riot, PROGRESSIVE?”
Dear @sameeryasir of @nytimes.
How is the Shiv Sena, a party that kept beating up couples on Valentines Day because it was 'against our culture', was accusing of crimes against Muslims in a communal riot, PROGRESSIVE?
Ironically, you considered them militant in 1973. https://t.co/gCFI5FTUN4
— שריקנט ראמקרישנאן (@rsrikanth05) November 4, 2020
Another Twitter user and an entrepreneur, Ram Prasad, said this is how things will look “if your entire world view is Modi hate”.
“Whoever opposes Modi is progressive, even a party that’s run by dynasts, came to fore by targeting people from other states, routinely uses violence to silence opponents & beats up journalists critical of its leaders,” he wrote.
If your entire world view is Modi hate, this is how things look.
Whoever opposes Modi is progressive,even a party that’s run by dynasts, came to fore by targeting people from other states, routinely uses violence to silence opponents & beats up journalists critical of its leaders https://t.co/IuhcYYuQas— Ram (@ramprasad_c) November 4, 2020
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