Key Points
- Stories included fabricated strikes on Pakistani nuclear and naval sites
- Experts warn that trusted media spreading disinformation poses serious risks
- Ceasefire between India and Pakistan is holding on
ISLAMABAD: As tensions ease following the recent India-Pakistan military standoff, growing scrutiny has fallen on the role of Indian media in spreading misinformation during the conflict.
According to a report by the New York Times, numerous mainstream Indian news outlets aired false and unverified reports, fueling nationalistic fervour and muddying the facts during a critical period.
Among the fabricated stories were claims that Indian forces had destroyed a Pakistani nuclear base, shot down two Pakistani fighter jets, and bombed Karachi’s port—Pakistan’s vital oil and trade hub.
The New Times reported that despite their specificity, none of these reports were true.
Misleading content
Social media was inundated with misleading content, including doctored videos, manipulated speeches, and AI-generated visuals, the US publication further said.
However, what alarmed experts was the extent to which these falsehoods seeped into mainstream media, with trusted outlets abandoning journalistic rigour in the rush to report dramatic victories.
“The sheer volume of fake news made it difficult to distinguish fact from fiction,” said Dr Sumitra Badrinathan, a political science professor at American University.
“What’s particularly troubling is that previously credible journalists and major outlets ran fabricated stories.”
The New York Times report also raised concerns about media ethics and the dangers of jingoistic reporting in conflicts involving nuclear-armed nations.
