Zee Media Corporation#Online

Zee Media Corporation Limited (formerly Zee News Ltd.) was founded by Essel Group and it was incorporated on 27 August 1999, as Zee Sports Ltd. It was a subsidiary of Zee Telefilms Ltd (later renamed Zee Entertainment Enterprises). The company was reincorporated on 27 May 2004, as Zee News Ltd.{{Cite news|title=Zee Media Corporation Ltd.|work=Business Standard|url=https://www.business-standard.com/company/zee-media-27705/information/company-history|access-date=25 February 2020}} It was demerged as a separate company of the Essel Group in 2006.{{Cite news |date=2006-12-14 |title=Zee Telefilms demerges into 3 firms |work=Business Standard |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/zee-telefilms-demerges-into-3-firms-106121401118_1.html}} In 2013,{{Cite web|title=Zee Media Corporation History {{!}} Zee Media Corporation Information|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/zee-media-corporation-ltd/infocompanyhistory/companyid-18879.cms|access-date=2020-02-25|website=The Economic Times}} Zee News Ltd. changed its name to Zee Media Corporation Limited.{{Cite web|title=Zee Media Corporation History {{!}} Zee Media Corporation Information|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/zee-media-corporation-ltd/infocompanyhistory/companyid-18879.cms|access-date=25 February 2020|website=The Economic Times}}{{Cite web |date=2024-01-20 |title=Zee Music Company and Boss Studio releases romantic song "Dekha Pheli Dafa" |url=https://theblunttimes.in/zee-music-company-and-boss-studio-releases-romantic-song-dekha-pheli-dafa/39490/ |access-date=2024-01-21 |website=The Blunt Times |language=en-US}}

It was involved in a joint venture with the Dainik Bhaskar Group for the publication of the Daily News & Analysis newspaper but the paper was discontinued in 2019 after suffering losses.{{Cite web|last=Dutta|first=Amrita Nayak|date=2019-10-11|title=DNA goes out of print 14 years after launch — rise & sudden fall of a promising newspaper|url=https://theprint.in/india/dna-goes-out-of-print-14-years-after-launch-rise-fall-promising-newspaper/304050/|access-date=2020-02-25|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}} The corporation also runs the Zee Institute of Media Arts (ZIMA){{Cite web|title=Zee Media Corporation|url=http://india.mom-rsf.org/en/owners/companies/detail/company/company/show/zee-media-corporation/|website=Media Ownership Monitor|publisher=Reporters without Borders}} which is owned by Zee Learn.

Zee Media Corporation Limited (ZMCL) operates 14 television news channels, 5 digital news channels, 7 news apps and 32 digital properties.

Zee News operates the Daily News & Analysis and Zee News websites to provide online coverage of the channel. The ZEE5 website which is owned by the Zee Entertainment Enterprises is used to platform coverage of other ZMCL channels.{{Cite web|title=Zee Media Corporation Limited|url=http://www.esselgroup.com/zee-media-corporation-limited.html|access-date=25 February 2020|website=Essel Group}} The World is One News (WION) channel operates its website.{{Cite web|date=18 August 2015|title=Zee Group To Launch English News Channel, Hires Rohit Gandhi As Editor-In-Chief|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/2015/08/18/zee-english-news-channel_n_8002024.html|access-date=25 February 2020|website=Huffington Post}} The ZMCL also owns the India.com news website.{{Cite web|date=8 December 2019|title=Cautious road ahead for Zee Entertainment|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/cautious-road-ahead-for-zee-entertainment/1787546/|access-date=25 February 2020|website=The Financial Express}}

• Daily News & Analysis Website: English-language online news coverage service. It is branded under the DNA program of Zee News.{{cite web|title=Latest News Headlines, Breaking News & Live Updates on Politics, Business, Sports, Bollywood at Daily News & Analysis|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/about|access-date=7 December 2020|website=DNA India}}

{{main|Daily News and Analysis}}

The Daily News & Analysis was an English-language broadsheet newspaper owned by the Zee Media Corporation Limited. It was launched on 30 July 2005 and branded under the Daily News & Analysis (DNA) program of Zee News. It was primarily circulated in Mumbai and discontinued on 9 October 2019 citing recurring losses.{{cite web|access-date=25 February 2020|date=11 October 2019|title=DNA goes out of print 14 years after launch – rise & sudden fall of a promising newspaper|url=https://theprint.in/india/dna-goes-out-of-print-14-years-after-launch-rise-fall-promising-newspaper/304050/|website=ThePrint}}{{cite web|date=1 June 2006|title=DNA commissions E&Y to certify circulation|url=http://www.chronosphere.biz/IMO/26/imo.html#dna|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219110303/http://www.chronosphere.biz/IMO/26/imo.html#dna|archive-date=19 December 2007|work=Indian Media Observer (issue #26)}}{{cite news|date=7 December 2020|title=Mumbai Mirror Shutting Down and the Screwed Up Business Model of India Media|url=https://vivekkaul.com/2020/12/07/mumbai-mirror-shutting-down-and-the-screwed-up-business-model-of-india-media/|access-date=7 December 2020}}

Zee Media Corporation Limited has been involved in many controversies.

The channel was tried for allegedly extorting ₹1  billion from the Jindal Group revealed through a sting operation.{{cite news|last=Jebaraj|first=Priscilla|date=28 July 2016|title=Jindal plays CD, claims Zee editors demanded Rs. 100 crore|newspaper=The Hindu|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jindal-plays-cd-claims-zee-editors-demanded-rs-100-crore/article4031340.ece|access-date=4 December 2014}} Two senior journalists Sudhir Chaudhary and Sameer Ahluwalia were arrested.{{cite news|title=Naveen Jindal vs Zee: Senior journalists arrested over alleged extortion|publisher=NDTV India|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/naveen-jindal-vs-zee-senior-journalists-arrested-over-alleged-extortion-298095|access-date=4 December 2014}}{{Cite news|title=Two Zee editors arrested for 'Rs 100-crore extortion bid' – Times of India|work=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Two-Zee-editors-arrested-for-Rs-100-crore-extortion-bid/articleshow/17391903.cms|access-date=30 January 2018}}{{cite news|title=Jindal Group and Zee television in extortion scandal|publisher=The Australian|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/jindal-group-and-zee-television-in-extortion-scandal/story-e6frg6so-1226527713986?nk=e835e32ddf2956600de185626015a1b1|access-date=4 December 2014}} The two were sent to a 14-day judicial custody in Tihar jail and were ultimately released on bail.{{Cite news|date=30 November 2012|title=Zee editors in two-week custody|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-20555718|access-date=7 August 2018}}{{Cite web|date=1 December 2012|title=Zee News editors sent to Tihar jail|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/zee-news-editors-sent-to-tihar-jail/story-YhQqQk8V9HgADnCLtt5K0H.html|access-date=8 September 2019|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}} Naveen Jindal had accused the two journalists of trying to extort {{INRConvert|1,000,000,000||lk=on|year=2011}} in advertisements for Zee News from him through blackmail by threatening to air stories against his company in the Coalgate scam. Zee News denied the charges and made counterclaims of Jindal offering them {{INRConvert|200000000||lk=on|year=2011}} to halt their investigations against Jindal Steel's involvement in the scam but filed no charges.{{cite web|date=25 October 2012|title=Naveen Jindal accuses Zee News of extortion, channel hits back – The Times of India|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Naveen-Jindal-accuses-Zee-News-of-extortion-channel-hits-back/articleshow/16956098.cms|access-date=3 November 2012|publisher=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com}} In July 2018, the Jindal Group withdrew the case against Zee News and both parties to the litigation stated that an out of court settlement had been reached which remains undisclosed.{{Cite web|date=14 July 2018|title=ED charges against Naveen Jindal, others as his firm settles case of extortion with Zee|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ed-charges-against-jindal-others-as-his-firm-settles-case-of-extortion-with-zee/|access-date=12 February 2020|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US}}

{{main|2016 JNU sedition controversy}}

Zee News reported that students from the Democratic Students' Union (DSU) raised "anti-India" slogans such as Bharat ki barbadi (The destruction of India) and Pakistan Zindabad (Long live Pakistan) at an event in the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus.{{cite news|date=14 February 2016|title=From 'Pakistan Zindabad' to 'Bharat ki barbaadi' – Slogans that were raised by 'anti-nationals' in JNU|newspaper=Zee News|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/india/from-pakistan-zindabad-to-bharat-ki-barbaadi-slogans-that-were-raised-by-anti-nationals-in-jnu_1855562.html}} In a letter, Vishwa Deepak, a journalist working at the channel, stated that "our biases made us hear Bhartiya Court Zindabad (Long live the Indian courts) as Pakistan Zindabad. Vishwa Deepak later resigned from the channel after expressing reservations over its "biased coverage". The footage on the newscast of Zee News had formed the basis of charges filed by the Delhi Police.{{cite news|date=22 February 2016|title=Zee News producer quits: Video we shot had no Pakistan Zindabad slogan|newspaper=The Indian Express|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/zee-news-producer-quits-video-we-shot-had-no-pakistan-zindabad-slogan/}} Sudhir Chaudhary, the editor and prime time anchor of the channel, however on a telecast, made a statement saying "our channel only showed what was happening there, whatever we have shown is 100% authentic."{{cite web|date=21 February 2016|title=We speak with the Zee News journalist who resigned over the channel's coverage of #JNURow|url=http://www.newslaundry.com/2016/02/21/we-speak-with-the-zee-news-journalist-who-resigned-over-the-channels-coverage-of-junrow/|newspaper=Newslaundry}} A forensic report of the Delhi Police however later stated that the footage was doctored.{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=19 February 2016|title=Forensic experts say Kanhaiya video was doctored|language=en|newspaper=India Today|agency=|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/delhi/story/forensic-experts-say-kanhaiya-video-was-doctored-309626-2016-02-19|access-date=12 March 2019}}

Anchor Sudhir Chaudhary ran a Daily News and Analysis program announcing that the Indian 2000-rupee note issued after the 2016 Indian banknote demonetisation by the government have GPS chips which will allow it to track currency, thereby reducing corruption.{{Cite web|last=Venkataramakrishnan|first=Rohan|date=9 November 2016|title=No, the RBI hasn't announced a Rs 2,000 note with a 'nano GPS chip' that it can track|url=http://scroll.in/article/821078/no-the-new-rs-2000-note-will-not-have-a-nano-gps-chip-that-can-track-it-anywhere|access-date=24 February 2020|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}} The Minister of Finance, Arun Jaitley dismissed the report as being rumours.{{Cite news|title=Nano Chip in Rs 2,000 Notes? Arun Jaitley Dismisses Rumours|url=https://www.ndtv.com/business/nano-chip-in-rs-2-000-notes-arun-jaitley-dismisses-rumours-1623483|access-date=24 February 2020|website=NDTV.com}} The Reserve Bank of India has also stated that no such chips are present in the currency notes.{{Cite news|last=Raghavan|first=TCA Sharad|date=9 November 2016|title=No electronic chip in Rs. 2000 notes: RBI|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/No-electronic-chip-in-Rs.-2000-notes-RBI/article16440933.ece|access-date=24 February 2020|issn=0971-751X}} The presence of "nano-GPS" in the currency notes has been classified as a hoax being spread on social media.{{Cite web|title=No, New Rs. 2000 Note Will Not Have a 'Nano GPS Chip'|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/social-networking/news/2000-note-nano-gps-chip-rumours-1623133|access-date=9 April 2020|website=NDTV Gadgets 360|date=9 November 2016 |language=en}}{{Cite web|last3=Ist|first3=2016 10:06|date=10 November 2016|title=No, Rs 2000 note doesn't have nano GPS for tracking but it may have RFID|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/features/story/no-rs-2000-note-wont-have-nano-gps-for-tracking-but-it-may-have-rfid-351039-2016-11-10|access-date=9 April 2020|website=India Today|language=en}}

Zee News telecasted a video with the claim that the slogans of Pakistan Zindabad were raised at a rally in Alwar presided over by the Indian National Congress politician, Navjot Singh Sidhu.{{Cite web|date=3 December 2018|title=Shocking! Pak supporters shout "Pakistan Zindabad" slogan in Navjot Singh Sidhu rally|url=https://zeenews.india.com/video/india/shocking-pak-supporters-shout-pakistan-zindabad-slogan-in-navjot-singh-sidhu-rally-2160544.html|access-date=24 February 2020|website=Zee News|language=en}} Sidhu accused Zee News of playing a doctored video and threatened to file a defamation suit against Zee News.{{Cite news|last1=Mehta|first1=Ashish|last2=4 December 2018|title=navjot singh sidhu: Will sue channel for fake news: Navjot Singh Sidhu {{!}} Jaipur News – Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/to-sue-channel-for-fake-news-sidhu/articleshow/66928000.cms|access-date=24 February 2020|website=The Times of India|date=4 December 2018 }} Sidhu stated that slogans of Jo Bole So Nihal were misconstrued as being in favour of Pakistan.{{Cite news|date=3 December 2018|title=Sidhu to file defamation suit against TV channel for airing 'fake' video|work=Business Standard|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/sidhu-to-file-defamation-suit-against-tv-channel-for-airing-fake-video-118120301205_1.html|access-date=24 February 2020}} Zee News accused Sidhu of calling a news broadcast to be fake news and sent a defamation notice to him. The notice demanded an apology from him within 24 hours and threatened to pursue legal recourse if an apology was not issued by him.{{Cite web|title=Zee News sends Rs 1000 crore defamation notice to Navjot Singh Sidhu after he accuses channel of playing fake video|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/cmcm/zee-news-sends-rs-1000-crore-defamation-notice-to-navjot-singh-sidhu-after-he-accuses-channel-of-playing-fake-video|access-date=24 February 2020|website=Free Press Journal|language=en}}

Zee News telecasted a show featuring editor-in-chief Sudhir Chaudhary where he claimed that the Trinamool Congress legislator Mahua Moitra had plagiarised author Martin Longman in her maiden speech after being elected to the Lok Sabha.{{Cite web|last=Chaudhuri|first=Pooja|date=3 July 2019|title=Zee News falsely claims Mahua Moitra plagiarised her maiden Parliament speech|url=https://www.altnews.in/zee-news-falsely-claims-mahua-moitra-plagiarised-her-maiden-parliament-speech/|access-date=24 February 2020|website=Alt News|language=en-GB}} Moitra accused the channel of false reporting and submitted a breach of privilege motion against Zee News and Sudhir Chaudhary.{{Cite news|date=4 July 2019|title=Mahua Moitra submits breach of privilege motion against Zee TV, LS speaker disallows it|work=Business Standard|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ani/mahua-moitra-submits-breach-of-privilege-motion-against-zee-tv-ls-speaker-disallows-it-119070400464_1.html|access-date=24 February 2020}} Martin Longman responded and stated that the legislator did not plagiarise him.{{Cite web|date=3 July 2019|title=Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra didn't plagiarise: US writer of fascism article shuts trolls|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/martin-longman-fascism-article-mahua-moitra-1561305-2019-07-03|access-date=24 February 2020|website=India Today|language=en}} Subsequently, Moitra filed a criminal defamation case against Chaudhary.{{Cite web|title=Mahua Moitra Files Criminal Defamation Case Against Sudhir Chaudhary|url=https://thewire.in/law/mahua-moitra-criminal-defamation-sudhir-chaudhary|access-date=24 February 2020|website=The Wire}}

The 2020 Delhi Legislative Assembly election was held on 8 February 2020.{{Cite web|title=Delhi Election 2020: Polling held peacefully, counting of votes on February 11|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/elections/assembly-elections/delhi/delhi-election-exit-polls-2020-results-live-news/liveblog/74028057.cms|access-date=28 March 2020|website=The Economic Times|language=en}} The exit poll results predicted the Aam Aadmi Party to retain their government in National capital territory of Delhi. The Zee News telecast of the exit poll results featured Sudhir Chaudhary, who indulged in polemic commentary against the voters of the election.{{Cite web|last=Jha|first=Fiza|date=10 February 2020|title=EVM tampering in Delhi across channels & Zee's Sudhir Chaudhury angry at voters|url=https://theprint.in/plugged-in/primetime/evm-tampering-in-delhi-across-channels-zees-sudhir-chaudhury-angry-at-voters/362327/|access-date=28 March 2020|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}} He stated that the people of Delhi had chosen Pakistan over Hindustan and that the rule of Mughals will now return. He further alleged the people of Delhi are lazy and only concerned about "freebies" and that issues like Ram Mandir, Balakot airstrike and Revocation of Article 370 do not matter to them which is why they have rejected the Bharatiya Janata Party.{{Cite web|date=9 February 2020|title=वीडियो: एग्जिट पोल में AAP की जीत पर एंकर ने कहा- दिल्ली को देश टूटने की चिंता नहीं|url=https://www.jansatta.com/national/exit-poll-2020-delhi-election-zee-news-tv-anchor-sudhir-chaudhary-after-exit-poll-out-people-not-worried-about-country/1312191/|access-date=28 March 2020|website=Jansatta|language=hi}} The telecast resulted in backlash and mockery of Zee News and Sudhir Chaudhary on social media.{{Cite web|date=9 February 2020|title='How does this qualify as journalism?': Twitter mocks Zee News and Sudhir Chaudhary for blaming Delhi voters after exit polls|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/how-does-this-qualify-as-journalism-twitter-mocks-zee-news-and-sudhir-chaudhary-for-blaming-delhi-voters-after-exit-polls|access-date=28 March 2020|website=Free Press Journal|language=en}}

On 9 July 2020, Nepal's satellite and cable television operators banned Zee News and some other Indian privately owned news channels, citing "propaganda and defamatory report against the Nepali government".{{cite news|title=Cable operators ban Indian news channels in response to 'insulting' video about prime minister|publisher=The Kathmandu Post|url=https://kathmandupost.com/national/2020/07/09/cable-operators-ban-indian-news-channels-in-response-to-insulting-video-about-prime-minister|access-date=13 July 2020}}{{cite news|title=Nepal bans private Indian channels for airing 'false propaganda'|publisher=Al Jazeera|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/07/nepal-bans-private-indian-channels-airing-false-propaganda-200710094837428.html|access-date=13 July 2020}}

Zee Media's and its subsidiary WION were cited in a September 2024 report from RRM Canada on "Potential Foreign Information Manipulation, and Interference following PM Statement on Killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar". The report examined content from popular Indian State-aligned media outlets and influencers, including WION, finding that "Modi-aligned outlets amplified several state-supported narratives about Prime Minister Trudeau, "Canada's High Commissioner to India, Canada's national security agencies, Canada's Punjabi Sikh diaspora, and Hardeep Singh Nijjar's political beliefs." The report highlighted the “massive digital footprint” of some of the named media outlets in comparison to Canadian media outlets, estimating Zee Media's total audience is 68 Million people.{{Cite web |last=Mago |first=Shivani |date=2024-10-18 |title=Month-old Canadian report flagged posts, news from 'Modi-aligned media' as 'foreign interference' |url=https://theprint.in/diplomacy/month-old-canadian-report-flagged-posts-news-from-modi-aligned-media-as-foreign-interference/2317844/ |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Seli |first=Yeshi |date=2024-10-07 |title=Canada's RRM report claims Indian media shaped negative narratives about Trudeau |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2024/Oct/20/canadas-rrm-report-claims-indian-media-shaped-negative-narratives-about-trudeau |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Canadian report highlights Indian media’s role in escalating bilateral tensions |url=https://www.newindiaabroad.com/english/diplomacy/canadian-report-highlights-indian-medias-role-in-escalating-bilateral-tensions |access-date=2025-03-27 |website=New India Abroad}}{{Cite web |date=September 12, 2024 |title=Potential Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference following PM Statement on Killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar |url=https://foreigninterferencecommission.ca/fileadmin/foreign_interference_commission/Documents/Exhibits_and_Presentations/Exhibits/CAN025923_0001.pdf |url-status=live |access-date=March 27, 2025 |language=English |type=PDF}}

• Zee Entertainment Enterprises
• Zee News

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