Times Now, Republic fall for fake letter saying PM to hold press conference, delete reports

The alleged letter, on a BJP letterhead, had claimed that PM Narendra Modi was to address a press conference in Varanasi on 26 April.

There was a fake letter sent to media claiming PM Modi will address his first press conference this week | Shailendra Bhojak/PTI Photo

New Delhi: A few media houses went into a tizzy Wednesday over a fake letter on the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) letterhead, which claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to address a press conference at the Taj Ganges in Varanasi on 26 April.

Times Now and Republic were among those that fell for the fake letter. Times Now “broke the news” on Twitter while also posting a copy of the letter. Its tweet has over 300 likes and more than 80 retweets.

#Breaking | PM @narendramodi to address a press conference on 26th April at 12:30 PM in Varanasi. | #May23WithTimesNow pic.twitter.com/c30PS4YQD4

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) April 24, 2019

An hour later, however, Times Now clarified that there was no such press conference on Modi’s schedule. It said the clarification came from the BJP office.

UPDATE: BJP clarifies saying there's no press conference scheduled for 26 April of PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/x1VJvRyhDF

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) April 24, 2019

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to address the media on April 26, on the day when he will file his nomination in Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency,” read the Republic article, which has since been deleted.

Modi has been targeted by the Opposition for his failure to address a single press conference in his five-year tenure.

On Wednesday, the Congress’ official Twitter handle took a dig at the prime minister after it was confirmed that the news was indeed fake. “Tumse na ho payega (You can’t do it),” read the party’s post which had over 1.8k likes and over 600 retweets.

"Tum se na ho payega" #FekuModi https://t.co/zW7S6tzME4

— Congress (@INCIndia) April 24, 2019

The fake letter made its appearance on social media after the prime minister’s hour-long interview with actor Akshay Kumar.

Modi has often come under attack from opposition parties and citizens for not holding a single press briefing in his tenure. Modi’s critics assert that his interviews, with a number of television channels, are always planned, with interviewers providing him leeway and not asking any tough questions.

In collaboration with SMHoaxSlayer.