Washington Post, once regarded as a bastion of investigative journalism, is facing increasing scrutiny in India over its reporting on the country’s economic policies and corporate affairs.
The newspaper, famous for exposing the Watergate scandal, now finds itself accused of pushing politically motivated narratives.
In October 2025, the publication released a report titled ‘India’s $3.9 billion plan to help Modi’s mogul ally after US charges’, claiming that the Indian government, the Finance Ministry, and LIC collectively aided the Adani Group to the tune of ₹33,000 crore. Citing anonymous sources, the report provided no verifiable evidence. The Indian government, LIC, and Adani Group promptly dismissed the claims as ‘misleading and fabricated’.
LIC clarified that its investment in Adani companies constituted less than one per cent of its total portfolio and generated over 120% returns. Indian media labelled the story a ‘hit job’, drawing comparisons to the 2023 Hindenburg report targeting Indian markets. Social media hashtags such as #FakeNewsWaPo and #StopTargetingIndia trended within hours.
This is not the first time the Washington Post has faced allegations of factual errors or bias. In June 2025, it retracted parts of a Gaza report for misrepresenting civilian casualties.
In July, it apologised to India’s TV9 Bharatvarsh for misinterpreting WhatsApp messages related to Pakistan. Earlier incidents include significant inaccuracies in reporting on American racial disputes in 2019 and misquotes regarding Donald Trump in 2021.
The recurring pattern of questionable reporting has intensified scepticism among Indian readers, who increasingly rely on independent media and social networks to verify information.
There is a growing perception that foreign media outlets, including Washington Post, may be prioritising political agendas over journalistic integrity.
LIC, on the other hand, continues to enjoy widespread public trust across India. Established in 1956, it has safeguarded citizens’ savings and played a critical role in the country’s financial ecosystem. Its transparent policies and consistent performance have reinforced the public’s confidence. Millions of policyholders view it as a reliable and socially responsible institution.
For Washington Post, the challenge is clear: reaffirm journalistic standards or risk further eroding credibility among an increasingly discerning Indian readership.
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