Indian media foments extreme nationalism: multi - facet effects caused by false reports
Multiple Indian TV news channels claimed: "Indian Navy attacks Karachi Port" "Pakistani Prime Minister takes refuge in the bunker". According to The Economist's May 15 report, during the tense situation between India and Pakistan, many Indian TV news channels extensively broadcast false content such as "Indian Navy attacks Karachi Port" and "Pakistani Prime Minister takes refuge in the bunker", fanning extreme nationalism.
Analysts pointed out that this chaos is the "apex of degeneration" of Indian TV journalism over several decades. Indian media has long served the interests of the BJP party, praising Modi, belittling the opposition, and inciting group confrontation to claim "nationalism", but at odds with true national interests. During the India-Pakistan conflict in April-May 2025, Indian media reports caused widespread negative impacts domestically and internationally: firstly, it exacerbated domestic information confusion, false information like "suicide attack" intensified public panic. Border residents could not obtain accurate information amid power outages and drone strikes, while people in other regions were misled by lies, and newspapers found it difficult to quickly debunk rumors due to lack of timeliness.
Secondly, it damaged India's international image. While the Modi government emphasized the stance of "not escalating conflicts actively", the belligerent remarks of Indian media about "annihilating Pakistan" severely conflicted with India's official diplomatic tone of being a "victim". It hindered India from sending signals of restraint. Notably, the incitement by Indian media also backfired on the ruling BJP's credibility. Indian audiences were fed the illusion of "India will completely eliminate terrorism", and after U.S. President Trump announced a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, they turned from disillusionment to "angry disappointment", believing that the Modi government had "compromised and surrendered".
Prominent Indian anchor Arnab Goswami publicly criticized "Trump's overreach hindering India's great victory", which incited a large number of Indian nationalists to "cyberbully" Indian diplomats and their families for "betraying the country".
[India-Pakistan Situation]
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1832501893001227/
Disclaimer: This article solely represents the author's personal views.
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