After broadcasting misinformation targeting Indian National Congress and its leaders, Republic TV on Tuesday issued an apology, stating that it was a “technical error”.
Published May 21, 2025 | 11:43 AM ⚊ Updated May 21, 2025 | 11:43 AM
Congress files complaint against Arnab Goswami and Amit Malviya. (X)
Synopsis: The Congress filed an FIR against Arnab Goswami and Amit Malviya for falsely claiming the party had an office in Turkey, citing defamation and intent to incite unrest. The image shown was actually of Istanbul Congress Center. Republic TV later apologized, calling it a technical error. Congress alleged the act aimed to manipulate public sentiment and undermine national security.
The Congress party on Tuesday, 20 May, filed an FIR with the Karnataka police against Republic TV Editor-in Chief Arnab Goswami, and BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya for defaming the party, and the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi by spreading false information that the grand old party has a registered office in Turkey.
The Congress, in it’s complaint, accused the duo of “Maliciously propagating the fabricated claim that the Istanbul Congress Center in Türkiye is the office of the Indian National Congress (INC). This act was executed with clear and undeniable criminal intent to deceive the Indian public, defame a major political institution, manipulate nationalist sentiments, incite public unrest, and undermine national security and democratic integrity.”
On 15 May, Arnab Goswami, on his show on Republic TV, claimed that the Indian National Congress (INC) had a registered office in Turkey. This came amidst the calls for boycott of Turkey, as the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan supported Pakistan during the rising tensions between India and Pakistan.
The same news clip was then shared by Amit Malviya, and many others on social media platforms.
However, on Tuesday, the Republic TV issued an apology, stating that it was a technical desk.
The statement read: “An incorrect image was inadvertently used erroneously depicting a building as the Congress office in Turkey by a video editor on the Digital desk due to a technical error.”
“The image had no connection to the content or context of the said video. This clip was not broadcast on Arnab Goswami’s Debate Plot show on 15th May 2025 or thereafter and was not taken on-air nor was the said erroneous image in any way related to the subject matter being discussed. The inadvertent error occurred after the live show ended and was carried on the digital platform. The moment it was brought to our attention, it was promptly rectified. We sincerely and unconditionally regret the error.”
Republic Corrigendum pic.twitter.com/dIkaH4Z6JE
— Republic (@republic) May 20, 2025
However, according to the report by Alt News, the building shown in the Republic segment, which has been referred to as the registered office of the Indian National Congress in Turkey, is actually the Istanbul Congress Center. It is a convention centre located in the Harbiye neighbourhood of Sisli district in Istanbul, Turkey. It was inaugurated on 17 October 17, and is owned by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
“The actions of Mr Malviya and Mr Goswami are set against the volatile backdrop of strained India-Türkiye relations, driven by Türkiye’s perceived support for Pakistan, a nation widely regarded as India’s adversary. Indian citizens, in a display of patriotic protest, have initiated a widespread boycott of Turkish tourism, products, and economic engagements. By falsely portraying the Istanbul Congress Center as an INC office, the accused have pursued the criminal objectives,” the complaint by Congress read.
Listing out the criminal objectives, the complaint alleged that the accused have exploited nationalist sentiments, defamed a political institution, incited public unrest, and subverted national interest.
Under the direction of @IYC In-charge Shri @Allavaru Ji, National President @UdayBhanuIYC Ji, and Our Chairman @RoopeshINC Ji, an FIR has been registered under non-bailable sections against @amitmalviya and Arnab Goswami Editor-in-Chief, @republic for defaming the constitutional… pic.twitter.com/nlTxoPO8RD
— IYC Legal Cell (@IYCLegalCell) May 20, 2025
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
