Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2024
Alleged foreign information manipulation concerns
An RRM Canada report examined Zee Media and WION among Indian state-aligned or state-associated media outlets that it said amplified narratives concerning Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, and Canada’s Sikh diaspora. The report framed the issue as a potential foreign information-manipulation and interference concern.
2020
Criticism of Delhi election-results commentary
Commentary during Zee News coverage of the 2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election results was criticized as inflammatory and disparaging toward voters who supported the Aam Aadmi Party. The broadcast generated substantial social-media backlash.
2020
Nepal distribution ban
Nepalese satellite and cable operators banned Zee News and certain other Indian private news channels, citing alleged propaganda and defamatory reporting concerning Nepal’s government.
2020
SEBI fines Zee Media and 25FPS Media over disclosure lapses
Fine or penalty
India's securities regulator SEBI imposed fines totaling Rs 9 lakh on Zee Media Corporation and promoter entity 25FPS Media for shareholding disclosure lapses. SEBI said the entities failed to comply with relevant disclosure requirements.
Source excerpt
New Delhi: Markets regulator Sebi Thursday imposed a fine totaling Rs 9 lakh on Zee Media Corporation and its promoter entity 25FPS Media for shareholding disclosure lapses.
The entities have not complied with the relevant provisions of PIT Regulations and SAST norms, it noted.
2019
Navjot Singh Sidhu rally video dispute
Zee News aired a video presented as showing pro-Pakistan slogans at a rally attended by Navjot Singh Sidhu. Sidhu alleged that the video had been doctored and threatened defamation proceedings. Zee News rejected his characterization and issued a legal notice demanding an apology.
2019
Mahua Moitra defamation dispute
A Zee News program alleged that politician Mahua Moitra had plagiarized material in her first parliamentary speech. Moitra denied the allegation, initiated a parliamentary privilege complaint, and filed a criminal defamation case. The author whose work was cited stated that the speech was not plagiarism.
2016
Jawaharlal Nehru University coverage dispute
Zee News broadcast footage said to show anti-India slogans at a Jawaharlal Nehru University event. Journalist Vishwa Deepak resigned and criticized the channel’s alleged bias. A later Delhi Police forensic assessment reportedly found the footage had been doctored, while the channel maintained that its report was authentic.
2016
False claim about tracking chips in ₹2,000 notes
A Zee News program claimed that newly issued Indian ₹2,000 banknotes contained GPS or similar tracking technology. The finance minister and the Reserve Bank of India rejected the claim, and it was widely identified as a hoax.
2012
Jindal Group extortion allegations
The Jindal Group alleged that Zee News journalists Sudhir Chaudhary and Sameer Ahluwalia attempted to obtain a large advertising commitment by threatening unfavorable coverage concerning the coal-allocation controversy. The journalists were arrested and later released on bail. Zee News denied the allegations and made counterclaims. The litigation was withdrawn in 2018 after an undisclosed settlement.