NY Times calls out ‘completely fabricated’ Modi image online

The New York Times called out a “completely fabricated image” of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that was circulating on the internet. 

“This is a completely fabricated image, one of many in circulation featuring Prime Minister Modi,” the newspaper’s communications account tweeted on Tuesday, adding a link to its “factual reporting” on 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) September 28, 2021

The image circulating is one of a New York Times print newspaper that was edited to show a picture of Modi with the headline “LAST, BEST HOPE OF EARTH.”

“WORLD’S MOST LOVED AND MOST POWERFUL LEADER, IS HERE TO BLESS US,” the image continues with a picture of Modi signing a paper. 

The edition is dated Sept. 26, right after Modi visited the U.S.

The New York Times said fabricating images like this contributes to misinformation on the internet.  

The company tweeted to point out the false image after it circulated on the messaging app WhatsApp in India, The Print, an Indian publication, reported.

Some on the app believed the image and thought Modi made it to the front page of the Times.