Indian media has crossed all limits in spreading fake news against Pakistan, which has been severely criticized by Indian journalists and analysts.
Instead of conveying correct information to the public, major media houses of India are spreading fake news against Pakistan by becoming the tools of their government and secret agencies. Fake news is created all over the world but its trend is most visible in India.
While this action of Indian media houses has been condemned by Pakistan, many senior Indian journalists and analysts have also disapproved of this process of spreading misleading and false news and termed it against journalistic principles.
Surendra Khochar, a senior journalist from the Indian city of Amritsar, says that it is unfortunate that today big media houses broadcast such news without verification, which have nothing to do with reality or these news are taken out of context.
He said that two days ago, the way the news of the civil war in Pakistan was played on the Indian media seemed to flout the principles of journalism. Unfortunately, there are some media houses who do not want to improve India-Pakistan relations and run fake news against Pakistan like civil war in Karachi. Surind Khochar says that there are many media houses in India, including his organization ‘Ajit’, which did not run this fake news.
Another Indian journalist and associated with BBC Hindi, Ravindersingh Rubin, while talking to Express, said that fake news has become a problem not only of Pakistan and India, but unfortunately, this trend is increasing in Pakistan and India.
He gave the example of American President Trump and said that he does not like CNN, he thinks that CNN gives news against him. Similarly, there are many media houses that work for the interests and agenda of governments, although the job of a journalist is to convey accurate and factual information to the public. Whatever meaning the people take from these news is their will.
Many Indian intellectuals and analysts on social media have described the anti-Pakistan news on the Indian media as ridiculous and have also expressed their surprise as to how this conflict has taken place in Pakistan, which has only been reported by a few Indian media houses. The reason is that electronic and social media are losing their credibility today due to fake news.
It should be noted that two days ago, many media houses of India had broadcast the news based on the fake tweets made on social media that Pakistan Army and Sindh Police had come face to face in Karachi, Pakistan. In these fake news, it was stated that as a result of this clash, four soldiers of Pakistan Army and 10 soldiers of Sindh Police have been killed.
Interestingly, the Indian media has written this clash in Gulshan Bagh area of Karachi, although there is no such area in Karachi. The propagandists in the Indian media were probably so ignorant of Urdu that they did not realize that Gulshan and Bagh have the same meaning. News18, India Today, News Now were the most prominent among the Indian channels that spread misleading news.
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### Interview with Surendra Khochar and Ravindersingh Rubin on Fake News in India and Pakistan
**Interviewer:** Thank you both for joining us today. Let’s dive straight into a pressing issue — the proliferation of fake news, particularly concerning the coverage of Pakistan in Indian media. Surendra, you recently highlighted that major Indian media houses have been spreading unverified news. Can you elaborate on that?
**Surendra Khochar:** Absolutely. It’s quite concerning how certain major media outlets in India have opted to report news that isn’t verified. For instance, the recent sensational reports about a civil war in Pakistan were played up without proper context or fact-checking. It feels like these media houses prioritize sensationalism over journalistic integrity, which is troubling. There are definitely outlets, like my own organization ‘Ajit’, that strive to report responsibly.
**Interviewer:** That’s a crucial point. Ravindersingh, from your perspective at BBC Hindi, how do you see the impact of this trend on public perception?
**Ravindersingh Rubin:** The impact is significant. Fake news doesn’t just misinform; it can also escalate tensions between nations. This issue isn’t confined to just India or Pakistan anymore; it’s a global problem. The increase in misinformation is alarming, and we see how it shapes narratives and influences public opinions negatively. The responsibility lies with journalists to fact-check and convey accurate information, not to play into sensational narratives.
**Interviewer:** Surendra, what do you think are the motivations behind some media outlets propagating such false narratives?
**Surendra Khochar:** There could be various motivations at play — from political agendas to a desire for viewership ratings. Some media houses may align themselves with governmental or agency interests to shape public perception. Unfortunately, a lack of accountability in journalism leads to these practices becoming more accepted, rather than scrutinized.
**Interviewer:** Ravindersingh, how can journalists counteract this trend of spreading fake news?
**Ravindersingh Rubin:** It’s essential to foster a culture of accountability. Journalists must prioritize ethics and thorough fact-checking. Additionally, media literacy among the public is crucial; audiences must learn to critically assess the information they consume. Organizations can invest in training sessions for journalists on the importance of verification and responsible reporting.
**Interviewer:** Thank you both for your insights. It’s clear that the issue of fake news is complex and challenging. As journalists, both of you play a vital role in ensuring that the truth prevails over misinformation. We appreciate your time today.
