The New York Times Public Relations team took to micro-blogging site Twitter to clarify, "This is a completely fabricated image, one of many in circulation featuring Prime Minister Modi."
Among the many messages circulating from the WhatsApp groups these days is one that involves a New York Times front-page featuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The story headlines Prime Minister Modi as the 'Last, Best Hope of Earth'. The message, which apparently originated around the time the Prime Minister arrived in the United States for his official visit last week, termed him as the world's most loved and most powerful leader.
Turns out, this New York Times front page does not exist.
The New York Times Public Relations team took to micro-blogging site Twitter to clarify, "This is a completely fabricated image, one of many in circulation featuring Prime Minister Modi."
This is a completely fabricated image, one of many in circulation featuring Prime Minister Modi. All of our factual reporting on Narendra Modi can be found at:https://t.co/ShYn4qW4nT pic.twitter.com/gsY7AlNFna
— NYTimes Communications (@NYTimesPR)The newspaper further said that resharing or circulating photoshopped images online only add to misinformation and uncertainty, at a time when truthful, trusted journalism is needed the most.
Soon after the New York Times Twitter post, social media erupted.
Some Twitterati called for a probe to track down who circulated the fake news to embarrass him and India globally.
PM must order a probe to track down person/groups who prepared, circulated this fake news to embarrass him and India globally.
People criticising politicians are jailed for sedition. Those who forged a reputed newspaper for PR stunt must also face sedition. https://t.co/9Aqa9GA2Ih
Congress supporters were quick to latch on to the Tweet and accused the Prime Minister and his party's IT cell of creating an international embarrassment.
Modi and his IT cell have become an international embarrassment for India.
The whole world is laughing on us..
Shame on Modi https://t.co/b78wntpjg9
Some even questioned the intent behind the New York Times giving a clarification regarding a clear Photoshop job.
Giving clarification regarding this petty photoshop image as if NYT is the flag bearer of truth and accurate journalism. https://t.co/huupT2DLKQ
— Aishwarya Hariharan (@aishwaryapvh)Others mocked the New York Times for fact-checking a meme.
is now fact checking a meme 😂
A truly fitting epitaph for the sad end of a century long domination of fake news filled western media https://t.co/JXX2Z1jILC
And then there were those who seemed to have read behind the New York Times line that the fabricated image was 'one of many in circulation' and come to the conclusion that the newspaper was taking a dig at the BJP's IT cell.
“This is a completely fabricated image, one of many in circulation…”.
One of many in circulation !!!
NYT knows how to take a dig at the IT cell !! 😂😂😂 https://t.co/D8p2kqN7aK
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