The Washington Post recently issued a correction in an article penned by its South Asia correspondent, Karishma Mehrotra, concerning a factual error regarding a prominent Indian official. The correction, which revised the spelling of a name, has drawn criticism from social media commentator Sunanda Vashisht, who asserted that such rectifications do not garner the same attention as initial reports.
The specific correction pertained to an article published on March 16, 2025, which had incorrectly reported the first name of the Indian Finance Commission's chairman. The corrected version now accurately identifies him as Arvind Panagariya. This type of factual amendment is a standard practice in journalism to maintain accuracy.
Sunanda Vashisht, in a tweet on July 30, 2025, expressed her view, stating, > "This correction by WaPo will not get the traction the original story did." Vashisht further contended that the Washington Post "will continue to call itself ‘beacon of light’ and harbinger of path breaking journalism," while Karishma Mehrotra "will continue to be employed by WaPo and will continue to be called a ‘journalist’." She concluded by labeling this situation as "liberal privilege."
Karishma Mehrotra serves as the South Asia correspondent for The Washington Post, covering significant developments across the region. Her previous work includes contributions to various reputable publications such as the Wall Street Journal, CNN, and Bloomberg Businessweek, and she has reported on a wide array of topics, including economic issues and misinformation in India.
The Washington Post, like many major news organizations, maintains a policy of issuing corrections when errors are identified to uphold journalistic integrity. Vashisht's commentary highlights a common public perception regarding the disparity in visibility between initial reporting and subsequent corrections, particularly when it involves prominent media outlets.