Operation Sindoor: When TV News Became The Source of Mis/Disinformation
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When India launched its Operation Sindoor against Pakistan on 7 May following the Pahalgam terror attack, our team found ourselves at a crossroads. We were dealing with panicked citizens as well as worried family members on one hand, and on the other, we witnessed an unbridled flow of m/disinformation.
In a week, our WebQoof team debunked over 70 such claims. This was a huge jump as this is the number of fact-check stories we publish in a month on an average. While we understand that fake claims usually circulate around recent events, there was a major difference this time. This time, media organisations were peddling m/disinformation live on their prime time slots.
The information vacuum created in times of conflict was filled by mis and disinformation by media organisations.
Prime Time for News or Misinformation?
Media channels like ABP News, News18, and Zee News shared an image of a man identifying him as "Maulana Mohammad Iqbal”, “a Pakistani terrorist” who was killed by the Indian Forces.
This claim was later picked up by other social media users on their handles and the series of Chinese whispers began.
However, this claim was FAR from the TRUTH. The man seen in the visuals was an Indian teacher at a local Madrasa, who lost his life due to cross-border shelling by Pakistan. Even after being called out by several fact-checking organisations, there was no apology and no corrigendum.
This was the same theme that we witnessed over the next few days. What followed were sensational headlines, old and unrelated videos, and over the top debates. News18, Zee News, News18 Madhya Pradesh, Sudarshan News ‘reported’ that Indian armed forces had captured Islamabad.
The Obsession With Running Source-Based News
Team WebQoof noticed another theme, which entailed these organisations running ‘information’ or ‘updates’ based on their sources. These sources were not identified, no documents were shown, and no proof was ever given. However, the ‘information’ was shared as real.
As the former senior managing editor of NDTV, Aunindyo Chakravarty, writes for The Quint, "Over the past few years, editorial processes have collapsed in a large number of mainstream newsrooms. This is especially true for TV news channels. That is why we have an endless stream of questionable source-based news being broadcast 24/7."
This also raised eyebrows from critics and the opposition. While several media outlets’ X (formerly Twitter) accounts were withheld, these major news channels that were spreading misinformation did not come under fire.
In fact, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had shared a video of Times Now Navbharat anchor Sushant Sinha, in which he was heard talking about how an ‘ecosystem’ was created to discredit the media. He even said, “Ek do galat khabar chala di to kaunsa toofan aa gaya tha. Kisine ye to nahi chala diya tha ke Pakistan ne India ke port tabah kar diye hain…Bharat ke khilaaf to khabre nahi chal rahi thi… (Translation: "So what if one or two incorrect news reports were aired, it’s not like a storm broke out because of it. It’s not like someone reported that Pakistan had destroyed India’s ports…The news that was broadcast wasn’t against India...”
Ironically, Times Now Nabharat’s sister organisation, Times Now, had published a post on their X handle claiming that explosions were heard at the Jaipur Airport. It was swiftly called out by the District Collector & Magistrate of Jaipur, who claimed that the report was “baseless”.
This raised a simple question. Was this news not enough to create panic in citizens, and does it not paint a picture that Pakistan had penetrated Indian airspace? The indifferent attitude reflected in Sinha’s video towards sharing misleading reports reveals the current state of the Indian media. He did not apologise but painted the Indian media as “victims” of an ecosystem.
The daily updates on Operation Sindoor and escalations between the two countries were regularly shared during the press conferences by the Indian armed forces. The actual information could have easily been picked by news channels from these conferences, however, they depended heavily on unknown ‘sources’.
After Operation Sindoor, Now It's All About “Spy” Jyoti Malhotra
Jyoti Malhotra, a YouTuber, was arrested for allegedly spying for Pakistan by the police on 16 May. Since then, numerous news reports and AI-generated images have been circulated about her. Our team published three separate stories that debunked claims of Malhotra being seen in photos with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav.
A recent report in Dainik Jagran mentioned that Malhotra purchased a new two-wheeler after her third visit to Pakistan. Whereas, an article in India Today discussed the handwritten notes of a YouTuber, who allegedly mentioned receiving warmth from Pakistani citizens.
While it should be emphasised that this matter is of national security and should be dealt with seriousness, not issuing official statements from the police or not waiting for the investigation to conclude could be perceived as narrative-building.
In a bid to address such reports, the Hisar police took to their X handle and said that it has been found that several factually incorrect reports were being circulated in the print, electronic, and social media. The statement read, “Such misinformation not only hampers the investigation but also poses a direct threat to national security in matters of this nature.”
Towards the end of the press note, Hisar SP said, “All individuals from electronic, print, and social media are requested to exercise restraint in their reporting and to broadcast only the facts mentioned in the official press note.”
While the government, fact-checking organisations, and local administration worked in tandem to avoid creating panic and bring the truth to the citizens, these news channels peddled misinformation for views. You can read our story here for more details.
The recent weeks further emphasised the importance of fact-checking and media literacy, which should also serve as a wake-up call for viewers not to believe everything they come across on TV channels and WhatsApp.
You can also follow this guide created by Team WebQoof on how to not fall for misinformation and read beyond the headlines.
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We’ll see you next month with more such updates and analysis. Until then, stay cautious of fake news and don’t be a WebQoof.
ABHISHEK ANAND
Senior Correspondent, Fact-Check
ABHILASH MALLICK
Editor, Fact-Check
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THE CENTRAL BJP GOVT AND ITS BJP RUN STATES THRIVE ON MISINFORMATION, AS LONG AS IT SUITS THEIR NARRATIVE. IF IT IS AGAINST THEM, THEM PEOPLE ARE TERMED AS ANTI-NATIONAL, TRAITORS, PAKISTANIS, CONVERTS, LIBERANDUS AND URBAN -NAXALS. THE GOVT APPOINTED FACT CHECKERS ARE BJP GOVT FARTS THEMSELVES!