Arnab Goswami-led Republic Media Network has hit out at social media handles that have been impersonating as the real one and indulging in plagiarism, while warning such deviants of legal actions.

The media company also said that it has flagged such impersonators with social media platforms like Facebook, which has promised to look into the allegations.

“It has come to our attention that several social media pages/profiles/handles/groups have been plagiarising and impersonating Republic Media Network, its channels and those associated with it. It is categorically and officially stated that these handles are in no way associated or affiliated with Republic Media Network, its affiliates or our Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami,” the media company said in an official statement, posted on its Twitter handle, Tuesday.

As a responsible network, Republic Media has already flagged these pages to the social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter. A list of 14 Facebook pages and groups has been shared officially with the platforms with an “urgent request to take immediate action and remove the fake accounts”, the statement added.

Facebook, according to Republic, has reverted on the request stating its internal teams are “considering the said request”. Republic has also reported 65 fake accounts on Twitter, which claim to be associated with the network and its Editor-in-chief Goswami.

“Some of these Twitter accounts conveniently use the guise of being ‘parody’ accounts to undertake blatant impersonation/plagiarism campaign, which promotes misinformation and fake news on social media. We hope that Twitter will urgently take down these fake accounts. Should Twitter fall to act, it will be a direct endorsement of the platform promoting fake news and fake handles.

“These fake handles on Facebook & Twitter promote capricious commentary with ulterior motives, which are not, have never been and shall never be the opinions and beliefs of the Republic Media Network. Republic wholly distances (itself) from any content/conversation/remarks/posts in these imposter pages/fake accounts/groups and their handlers,” the statement highlighted.

Republic Media has also shrugged off any “liability for any content” on these pages impersonating it. The statement was accompanied with a list of 14 fake pages that have been flagged with Facebook and 65 fake Twitter accounts.

“On our part, Republic will take severe and stringent legal action against all fake social media accounts that are misleading the public by impersonating us and those affiliated to us,” it warned.