TV news reader silenced after calling Chinese President Xi ‘eleven’

An Indian TV news anchor reader has been forced off air after referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping as “Eleven” Jinping during a bulletin. She confused “Xi” with the Roman numerals “XI”, a senior official at the state television channel said on Friday. He added: “We have debarred her from news reading for a few months.” Xi left India on Friday after a visit to boost trade and economic ties that have been marred by a long-standing border dispute.

It is an unpardonable mistake

Senior Indian State TV official

The blooper occurred on a show on Doordarshan news on Wednesday. The official added that a shortage of news readers had forced the channel to run some news bulletins with casuals. The incident comes at a time when Doordarshan news is trying to reinvent itself to compete with private broadcasters.

The silver lining: At least the anchor knows Roman numerals.

Twitter message

Odd News Doordarshan