Government Criticizes BBC Over Terminology in Pahalgam Attack Coverage
April 28, 2025
The Indian government has issued a letter to BBC India with an official response to its reporting relating to the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and voiced its displeasure about BBC’s use of language surrounding the assault in Pahalgam, especially with regard to the way in which the BBC represented the extremists responsible for the attack. The Indian government believes that using the word “militant” rather than “terrorist” is improper.
Government’s Objection
In their letter, the Indian government said that referring to the performers as “militants” downplays how serious their acts were. Officials noted that the words used in articles matter in shaping public opinion and world opinion. The BBC was accused of referring to the violence incorrectly by abstaining from the word “terrorists”.
Concerns Over Misleading Headlines
The government also disagrees with what it characterized as misleading headlines in the BBC’s coverage of the Pahalgam attack. Officials argue that these headlines did not reflect the brutal realities of the situation and in doing so, risked undermining the global struggle against terrorism. The government argued that this type of language creates ambiguity regarding acts of terror and is disrespectful to the victims who are primarily affected.
A Growing Pattern
This is not the first occasion the Indian government has engaged in disputes with international media outlets over the language and framing they use to report on incidents relating to terrorism. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting highlighted that news agencies most adhere to their duty to report “accurately,” and “carefully,” especially in a nation that has made a habit of being a victim of cross-border terrorism.
Leave a Reply