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India-Pak Conflict | Things Happened In The Newsrooms But Not In The Frontlines

Many are concerned over accessibility to factual information and journalists who uphold media ethics, as their voices often get drowned out in the wave of powerful misinformation, though they are rare.

India-Pak Conflict Edited by
India-Pak Conflict | Things Happened In The Newsrooms But Not In The Frontlines

Things Happened In The Newsrooms But Not In The Frontlines

With ongoing escalation between India and Pakistan, newsrooms in both countries are vying to interpret and report on the situation on the ground. Several news channels, acting as warmongering platforms, have turned out to be fake news producers and carriers. As certain Pakistani media circulate false reports regarding attacks on Indian territories, including army posts, similarly, several Indian portals are also engaged in pushing fake news and narratives.

A flood of lies, propaganda, warmongering and fake narratives have inundated not just social media, but the so-called media houses — supposed to be clarion of truths. Full-blown disinformation has been spread rampantly, probably, to satisfy the news consumers driven by the pursuit of the TRP. Many are concerned over accessibility to factual information and journalists who uphold media ethics, as their voices often get drowned in the wave of powerful misinformation, though they are rare.

Read Also: India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate: Jammu, Pathankot, Jaisalmer Under Attack

The newsrooms in certain mainstream media – many call them ‘Godi Media’ – such as AajTak, Zee Media, Republic TV, Sudarshan, among others, have been exploding with outright lies to such an extent that even the Indian Army has to step up to bust them. The Army on Thursday clarified that the circulation of fake reports regarding suicide attacks by terrorists in Pathankot or Rajouri is completely false. AajTak had reported that there was a suicide attack.

There have been multiple fake reports that several mainstream media have fabricated in the wake of rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, probably creating panic among the public in tense and sensitive times. Some of the top fake stories of the media outlets in the last 24 hours include India attacking Karachi Port, capturing Islamabad, Pakistan army chief Asim Munir’s arrest, and the coup, among others.

Prominent journalist Arvind Gunasekar, in a post on X, has pointed out “two more fake news by mainstream media: 1. Asim Munir, Pakistan Army Chief, has not been arrested. 2. “The Indian Navy has not attacked Karachi port.”

Read Also: Indian Air Defence Shoots Down Pakistan F-16 Jet: Sources

Reflecting on the situation, X user Mohit Chauhan called the media “Unreal Clownery” while hilariously noting, “AajTak has destroyed Karachi Port. Zee Media has destroyed Islamabad. Republic TV has arrested Asim Munir. Sudarshan has destroyed Pakistan. As per reports from reliable sources, there have been no actions by the Indian Navy at Karachi, but it “remains operational in the Arabian Sea”, pointed out foreign affairs editor at The WION, Sidhant Sibal.

Two times Ramnath Goenka Award winning journalist, Abhisar Sharma, sharing the screenshots from India Today, AajTak, Times Now, and Zee News observed that these media are dangerous and working against the national interest. “So many lies were spread last night. Indian Army successfully thwarted Pakistani attacks in North India. But apart from this, most of the news shown in Godi Media proved to be false!,” Sharma wrote on his X handle.

Another handle, Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, trolled the so-called fake propaganda channels by making a satirical post on social media platform X. “Tweet of appreciation to all of you who tweeted POSITIVE AUXILIARY ASSISTANCE today: • coup in Pakistan • planes running from Pakistan • pilot captured • F-16/J-17 shoot down • Karachi/Lahore being attacked You have no idea how useful you were today,” the user wrote, referring to the fake and misleading reports several media houses have carried.

Iyer-Mitra then sarcastically noted, “anyone who labels you as “fake news” or “misinformation” is a paid Pakistani 5th column.”

Journalist-turned-politician and TMC MP, Sagarika Ghose has demanded the government to provide regular briefings “so an irresponsible TRP-chasing media doesn’t run amok and panic and confuse citizens.”

In a post, the TMC Rajya Sabha deputy leader wrote, “Last night was the most shocking example of the disaster that is most of India’s TV media and some social media. Fake videos and misleading lies were unleashed for hours on the unsuspecting public. Dear media, in highly sensitive and tense times please verify and check before putting out every piece of news. Telling the truth is the first duty of journalists.”

India’s official fact-check platform, PIB Fact Check, has been active, busting several fake videos and reports being circulated on social media, which includes certain Pakistani media claims that India military posts have been attacked.

Topics
Disinformation Fact Checking fake media report India - Pakistan tension India-Pak Conflict media Media ethics Misinformation Operation Sindoor pahalgam attack sensationalism

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