As tensions flare between India and Pakistan, some of the most intense battles aren’t being fought on the frontlines—but inside our newsrooms.
Over the past 48 hours, as the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, a flood of misinformation, propaganda, and outright fake news has been unleashed by several so-called ‘mainstream’ media outlets.
Let’s break down what happened in the newsrooms—but not on the ground.
Also Read | India-Pak Conflict: Things Happened In The Newsrooms But Not In The Frontlines
Claim #1: Suicide Attack in Pathankot or Rajouri
False. AajTak reported a ‘fidayeen’ or suicide terror strike. The Indian Army officially denied it, calling the report “completely false”.
Claim #2: Karachi Port Attacked by Indian Navy
Channels like India Today and Aaj Tak went ahead and claimed that India had launched an assault on Karachi. In reality, the Navy remained on high alert but launched no attack. No such operation took place.
Claim #3: Islamabad Captured
Zee News ran headlines implying Indian forces have already captured Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. A total fabrication. Did not happen.
Claim #4: Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir Arrested in Coup
Once again, Republic TV, among others, ran unverified segments claiming a coup and the arrest of the Pakistani Army Chief. No such event occurred.
Claim #5: Pakistani Pilots Captured
Multiple channels, including Sudarshan News, pushed stories of India capturing Pakistani pilots. Again, no confirmation, no evidence, and no official statement.
Also Read | The Wire Calls Out “Blatant Censorship” After Website Blocked In India
While these channels were busy creating alternate realities, even the Indian Army had to step in to bust the myths.
Amidst this chaos, journalists – like Mohammed Zubair, Abhisar Sharma, Arvind Gunasekar, and Sidhant Sibal – worked tirelessly to stop this disinformation epidemic from going viral.
At a time of national security and public anxiety, misinformation is not just irresponsible—it’s dangerous. Remember, the next time a newsroom declares war, verify whether it’s fiction or fact.
