New Delhi: The Hindu has issued an unconditional apology after facing backlash for publishing a front-page advertisement defending Dera Sacha Sauda chief and convicted rapist, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
The full-page advertisement appeared on September 12 in the newspaper’s Delhi and North India editions along with an identical Hindi version in Dainik Bhaskar.
The paid advertisement titled “What is Dera Sacha Sauda? (Facts vs Fiction)”, defended the organization’s social welfare work and the controversial godman’s paroles. It further claimed that Ram Rahim’s conviction was part of a conspiracy by drug mafias and other enemies. It, however, did not mention that he is serving a 20-year prison sentence for rape.
The publication of the advertisement triggered outrage among both readers and journalists. Questioning media ethics, the critics argued that major newspapers should not use their front-page space to help rehabilitate the image of a convicted felon, even as a paid advertisement.
Though both newspapers included a standard disclaimer stating they had no editorial involvement in the ad, critics questioned if disclaimers are enough when paid content mimics real journalism.
Following the outrage, The Hindu published an unconditional apology on September 13.
“The Hindu deeply regrets the publication in its Delhi, Mohali and North India editions of an offensive front-page advertisement titled ‘What is Dera Sacha Sauda? (Facts vs Fiction)’ and alleging among other things, that there was a conspiracy against the convicted rapist, Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, head of the Dera Sacha Sauda, by ‘drug mafias and forces opposed to the Dera’. The Hindu tenders its unconditional apology for publishing this deeply offensive advertisement,” a release by the newspaper posted on social media said.
