Video Exposing International and Indian Media Fake News of Bondi Beach Shooters

Pakistan's Ministry of Information has released a compelling video compilation that documents a significant media misidentification during the initial reporting of the Bondi Beach mass shooting. The compilation features clips from major international news outlets including ABC, BBC, CNN, and Al Jazeera, all of which erroneously identified the attackers as Pakistani nationals in their early coverage.

The December 14, 2025, terrorist attack at Bondi Beach near Sydney, Australia, resulted in the deaths of 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration. The ISIS-inspired attack was carried out by father-son duo Sajid Akram, 50, who was killed during the incident, and Naveed Akram, 24, who has been charged. This tragedy marked Australia's deadliest mass shooting since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.

In this video, Pakistan’s ministry of information has compiled clips from international media that misreported the Sydney beach shooting, incorrectly stating that the shooter was Pakistani. In fact, he has been confirmed to be Indian origin, now also verified by Telangana police.… pic.twitter.com/kZKY79f3sI

— Naimat Khan (@NKMalazai) December 17, 2025

The video compilation serves as a stark reminder of how quickly unverified information can spread through major media channels during breaking news events. Initial reports from multiple Western and Middle Eastern news organizations incorrectly suggested Pakistani origins for the attackers, despite later confirmation from Telangana Police that Sajid Akram originated from Hyderabad, India.

The official pointed to social media analysis showing that hashtags and narratives linking the attack to Pakistan trended longer and more prominently in Indian digital spaces, directly fueled by the prolonged media coverage. "The damage from the first hour of mistaken global reporting is one thing. The sustained damage from a days-long echo chamber next door is categorically different and more sinister," the official added.

Media analysts reviewing the compilation identify a critical failure in the "correction cascade." While most international outlets issued clear, front-page clarifications once the Telangana Police evidence emerged, the response in parts of the Indian media was muted or ambiguous.

"The video shows a stark dichotomy," said Dr. Anya Sharma, a professor of media studies at Lahore University. "On one screen, you have the police press conference stating facts. On another, you have prime-time debates hours later still trafficking in the debunked theory. This creates two parallel realities for viewers and exemplifies how geopolitical bias can override journalistic duty."

The incident has moved beyond diplomatic friction, prompting calls from international media watchdog groups for a review of editorial protocols, especially in cross-border reporting during crises. "The Bondi case is a textbook example of confirmation bias in the media," said a statement from the Ethical Journalism Network. "Outlets must institute mandatory 'fact-check holds' on developing stories involving historical adversaries and prioritize later corrective reporting with the same prominence as the initial error."

The Pakistani government has stated it is considering formally presenting the video compilation as evidence to global forums concerned with media integrity and the real-world consequences of misinformation.