By Sagar Suraj

MOTIHARI:  In a stark reminder of media accountability, East Champaran District Magistrate Saurabh Jorwal has decisively countered a baseless Zee News digital report accusing him of enabling the sale of land tied to the defunct Chakia Sugar Factory.

 The unverified story, swiftly retracted after administrative pushback, underscores the perils of sensationalism masquerading as journalism.

District officials dismissed the Zee News piece—published on the platform founded by media mogul Subhash Chandra—as "fabricated and malicious.

" It is utter misuse of freedom of speech
as without quoting DM or verifying facts, the story was carried.

 "This was a deliberate attempt to tarnish the DM's reputation and manipulate public perception," an anonymous official told.

DM Jorwal's prompt clarification via the official Information and Public Relations Department (IPRD) whatupp group dismantled the claims.

 "No official can order land sales or purchases. The administration only facilitates regulatory compliance and court directives," he stated.

 Officials confirmed the Chakia factory land registry adhered strictly to judicial orders, with no administrative overreach.

Zee News deleted the report following the rebuttal, but the reporter allegedly peddled similar versions elsewhere. Allegely to declare false narative true to appease his false ego, the official said.

This isn't isolated. The reporter previously targeted a bilingual newspaper journalist based in Motihari.

 The journalists, in his one of the report had questioned Mahatma Gandhi Central University's Vice-Chancellor appointment. 

The same reporter in the zee news digital portal falsely claimed that a defamation notice would be issued against  the said journalists for questioning VC' appointment revealing his illegal proximities with VC.

 University sources however, denied any such action, exposing another unverifiable narrative by the same reporter on the same platform.

The District Public Relations Officer (DPRO) Gyaneshwar Prakash  indicated potential legal steps against the zee news reporter and platform for disseminating "biased, unverified information."

 "We're evaluating action under Press Council of India guidelines," the DPRO said.

 DM Jorwal's firm stance exemplifies administrative transparency amid Bihar's complex land disputes, particularly around shuttered sugar mills like Chakia and Motihari. 

As digital media proliferates, this episode reignites debates on ethical reporting versus clickbait. 

Jorwal's response not only vindicates his office but spotlights the need for fact-checked journalism. 

In an era of yellow journalism, upright officers like him safeguard public trust.

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(Writer is senior correspondent of The Hindustan Times and also general secratary of Bharti Shramjivi patrakar sangh, Bihar)