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India-Pakistan Conflict: How Misinformation Inflamed Tensions
Table of Contents
- 1. India-Pakistan Conflict: How Misinformation Inflamed Tensions
- 2. The Anatomy of False Claims
- 3. The Rise of Unapologetic Disinformation
- 4. Ancient Context: The 2019 Pulwama Attack
- 5. The Surge of misinformation
- 6. Impact of Blocking Credible Sources
- 7. The Evolving Challenges for Fact-Checkers
- 8. Strategies for Combating misinformation
- 9. Key Differences Between 2019 and 2024 Crises
- 10. given the volatile nature of the India-Pakistan crisis, how can individuals best distinguish credible reporting from misinformation, especially when dealing with rapidly spreading rumors and emotional appeals via social media?
- 11. India-Pakistan Crisis: Fact-Checkers Fight Disinformation & Expose fake News
- 12. Understanding the Misinformation Landscape
- 13. Common Disinformation Tactics
- 14. The Role of Social Media
- 15. Key Fact-Checkers in Action
- 16. Practical Tips for Staying Informed & Avoiding Disinformation
- 17. Real-World examples of Misinformation
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Recent escalations between India and Pakistan were not only marked by military actions but also by an intense deluge of misinformation that considerably inflamed tensions. Social media platforms and television channels played a pivotal role in disseminating unverified claims, deepening the divide between the two nations.
During the peak of the conflict in early May, numerous Indian news channels showcased sensationalized graphics, resembling animated video games, to depict military engagements. These visuals often misrepresented the reality on the ground, contributing to widespread public confusion.
The Anatomy of False Claims
On May 9, Times Now Navbharat, a prominent Indian Hindi news channel, broadcasted a segment that falsely claimed Indian forces had entered Pakistan. The broadcast featured dramatic visuals of soldiers, tanks, fighter jets, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all accompanied by an anchor’s eager declarations.
The channel further aired purported footage from Karachi, Pakistan, alleging an Indian invasion of the city. Similar false reports surfaced, claiming that Indian forces had invaded Islamabad and bombed Lahore. All these reports were later proven untrue.
While both India and Pakistan did launch air missiles into each other’s territories, neither country’s forces crossed the border. This latest conflict arose after gunmen killed 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, with India accusing Pakistan of involvement-an allegation Pakistan denies.
Journalists worldwide cautioned against the dangers of war between the two nuclear-armed states, highlighting the potential for involvement by regional powers like China and Turkey. Despite these warnings,social media,TV channels,and YouTubers continued to propagate false claims during what the Indian government dubbed “Operation Sindoor.”
The Rise of Unapologetic Disinformation
Fact-checkers quickly identified and debunked the fake news circulating on Indian social media. However, many accounts defended their actions. Some even argued that spreading disinformation was justified as a form of information warfare.
One X user, with nearly 100,000 followers, explicitly stated that the purpose of information warfare is to “confuse, mislead, and break the thinking of the enemy.” This sentiment reflected a troubling trend of intentional disinformation aimed at manipulating public perception.
major Gaurav Arya, editor-in-chief of a right-wing think tank, referenced Nazi minister Joseph Goebbels, highlighting the era of “propaganda.” Government agencies had to issue fact checks on their official X accounts, exposing the extent of the misinformation.
The Network of Women in Media issued a statement condemning media outlets that ignored official clarifications, emphasizing the lack of accountability in spreading false narratives.
Ancient Context: The 2019 Pulwama Attack
To understand the recent wave of misinformation, it is crucial to examine the events following the February 14, 2019, suicide bombing in Pulwama, Kashmir, which killed 40 indian soldiers. In response, the Indian air force bombed a Jaish-e-Mohammad training camp in Balakot, Pakistan.
The Indian government claimed to have killed 300 terrorists, but Reuters, using satellite images, reported that the training camp remained intact. This discrepancy highlighted the challenges in verifying information during times of conflict.
In contrast to the 2019 events,Indian authorities this time promptly released images to detail the impact of their strikes,seemingly satisfying the Indian public and reducing the initial surge of fake information. However,this lull was short-lived.
The Surge of misinformation
Misinformation surged again on May 7, particularly from Pakistani X accounts posting fake videos of airstrike sites. The following day, Indian social media exploded with false claims and narratives.
Jency Jacob, managing Editor of BOOM, a fact-checking website, explained that 24-hour news thrives on adrenaline-driven stories. The limited flow of official information may have led TV channels to broadcast false claims to satisfy their audiences.
Pratik Sinha from Alt News noted that the media primarily catered to domestic audiences, often prioritizing emotions over facts. this focus on national sentiment further fueled the spread of misinformation. Rizvi, a Delhi-based fact-checker, observed that fake news originating on X quickly spread to TV channels, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
Impact of Blocking Credible Sources
The Indian government blocked several Pakistani YouTube channels, including those of established news outlets like Dawn, instantly after the April 22 attack on tourists. As tensions escalated, the government ordered X to block local access to thousands of accounts belonging to Pakistanis, Kashmiris, and some Indians.
Online censorship was not limited to social media. Freelance journalist Hilal Mir was arrested and labeled a “radical social media user.” Another Kashmiri journalist, Rejaz M. Sheeba Sydeek, was reportedly arrested for criticizing India’s actions against Pakistan online.
Autonomous news outlet The Wire was blocked for about 24 hours after reporting Pakistan’s claim of shooting down a French-made Indian fighter jet. The Wire called the blocking order “unfair,” underscoring the challenges faced by independent media during the conflict.
The Evolving Challenges for Fact-Checkers
Fact-checkers face numerous challenges, including the increasing sophistication of AI-generated imagery. Deepfakes of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz sharif and Indian leaders narendra Modi and Amit Shah went viral, creating significant confusion.
Jacob emphasized that many people are still unaware of AI deepfakes, making it easier for these manipulated videos to deceive the public. BOOM used AI audio detection tools to verify the deepfakes and published a story explaining their findings.
Additionally, people used Grok AI on X to verify claims of Indian forces entering Pakistan, but the bot frequently returned inaccurate or outdated responses, further complicating the fact-checking process. Sinha emphasized the need for speed, stating that the key is to disseminate accurate information as quickly as possible.
Strategies for Combating misinformation
BOOM has established standard operating procedures to handle high-pressure situations effectively. This involves allocating resources strategically and publishing information quickly without compromising accuracy.
Accuracy and speed are paramount for fact-checking organizations.Mistakes can erode credibility, making it essential to verify information thoroughly before dissemination.
Key Differences Between 2019 and 2024 Crises
| Aspect | 2019 Crisis (Pulwama Attack) | 2024 Crisis (Operation Sindoor) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Release | Slow initial release; lack of immediate visual evidence from authorities led to speculation and spread of rumors. | Rapid release of images and information by Indian authorities aimed to control the narrative and reduce the initial spread of rumors. | |||||||||||||
| Social Media response | Delayed fake news generation, with a gradual increase in misinformation over days. | Immediate and intense burst of misinformation, particularly on X, spreading rapidly to other social media and TV channels within hours. | |||||||||||||
| Source of Misinformation |
| Fact-Checking Organization | Focus Area | Notable Work During Crises |
|---|---|---|
| Alt News (India) | Indian News & Social Media | Debunking fake videos and claims related to troop movements and cross-border incidents. |
| The News Minute (India) | South Indian News | Verifying news reports from various media outlets and social media posts. |
| Digital Rights Foundation (Pakistan) | Pakistani News & Social Media | Addressing digitally-based disinformation and promoting media literacy. |
| SM Hoax Slayer (India) | Social Media Hoaxes | Investigating and debunking viral posts on social media. |
Practical Tips for Staying Informed & Avoiding Disinformation
Staying informed requires a proactive approach. Here’s how to navigate the information landscape safely:
- Be Skeptical: Approach information with a critical mindset. Question the source and intent before sharing.Consider the source’s background.
- Cross-Reference Information: Verify information from multiple credible sources before accepting it as fact.Compare reports from various established media outlets.
- Check the Source: Evaluate the credibility and reputation of the source. Is it a reputable news organization or a social media account? Is it a known perpetrator of misinformation?
- Analyze Images and Videos: Check images and videos for signs of manipulation. Reverse image search using google Images or TinEye to see if an image is being misused or has been taken out of context.Use tools like InVID & WeVerify to check videos.
- Recognise Emotional Appeals: Be wary of emotionally charged content that aims to provoke strong reactions, especially when it lacks supporting evidence.
- Follow Fact-Checkers: Stay updated on the work of fact-checking organizations (listed above).Follow their social media accounts and read their reports.
- Report Misinformation: Report any suspected disinformation to the relevant social media platforms, or the fact-checking organizations.
Real-World examples of Misinformation
Understanding how fake news impacts real-world events is crucial, so learning to assess these scenarios is vital.During the heightened tensions in the past, we’ve witnessed the following:
- Fake images of Casualties: Fabricated or misrepresented images of casualties from the conflict were spread to fuel both outrage and sympathy.
- Rumors of Troop Movements: False claims about troop movements were spread via social media to provoke fear and destabilize situations.
- Altered Videos: Edited videos that misrepresent events were shared on video sharing platforms such as YouTube.
