TV channels put out fake news on Modi as a ‘contender for Nobel peace prize’

• Deputy leader of Norwegian Nobel Committee Asle Toje denied he ever made such a statement
• ICF chairman Vibhav K. Upadhyay said that Indian news channels misquoted Toje
• Times Now editor tweeted the quote about Modi being the “biggest contender” for the award

Deputy leader of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Asle Toje on Thursday dismissed media reports claiming he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the biggest contender of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Toje’s clarification came after some TV channels reported that the deputy leader of the Norwegian Nobel Committee had tipped Modi to be the “biggest contender” for the Nobel Peace Prize. Toje has called out a “fake” quote that is being reported widely as his acknowledgment that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “the biggest contender for the Nobel Peace Prize”

Speaking to ANI, Toje said: “It’s fake. Let’s not give it energy or oxygen. I categorically deny that I said anything resembling.”

ICF chairman Vibhav K. Upadhyay said that Indian news channels misquoted Toje. Upadhyay told news website The Print:  “Indian TV channels have misquoted Mr Toje. He never said that. I hope it is by mistake or by extra enthusiasm, but if this has been done by design, then it is criminal.” He added that he suspected certain media outlets had run false headlines for the purpose of sensationalism.

Several television news channels put out stories, falsely quoting Toje, stating that “Modi is the most trusted leader for stopping war and only he can establish peace.”

According to Newslaundary, Times Now editor Rahul Shivshankar tweeted the false quote about Modi being the “biggest contender” for the award on Thursday, but he was asked by Nayan Jyoti Parasara, a media professional, if Toje’s remarks were made in an “individual capacity”.

He then said that “he doesn’t speak for the panel”. “He has made this clear saying he can’t speculate on who is going to win etc. He rates the PM on his diplomacy and his peacemaking. But having said that his opinion counts as much as any credible assesor of world affairs. Take it or leave it,” Shivshankar tweeted.

According to Newslaundry, the 49-year-old scholar said no such thing in his media interaction. The fact-checking website reported that the first clip of Toje’s “fake quote” was put up by Times Now. During his interview with the channel, what Toje really said was, “I haven’t noticed peace all over the world…but I have noticed that PM Modi has intervened on a positive note in the Ukraine crisis warning Russia against using nuclear weapons.”

-INDIA NEWS STREAM