On the night of May 8, Indian television news did more than fail- it actively betrayed its role as a source of reliable information. Major news channels turned into propaganda machines, spreading unverified claims as “breaking news.” From fake reports of strikes on Karachi to Islamabad and false stories of a captured enemy pilot, the broadcasts were full of jingoism, not facts. At a time when calm, caution, and truth were needed, TV news instead spread nationalist panic and misinformation. This wasn’t just a failure of journalism—it was a deliberate choice to ignore the truth in favor of sensationalism and political advantage. Instead of informing the public, the screens stirred emotions and confusion.

Propaganda and information warfare have always been part of statecraft and psychological tactics, from the Mahabharata to today’s Ukraine crisis. In the Mahabharata, Yudhishthira had to lie, saying, "Ashwatthama is dead," as part of a strategic move. Similarly, President Zelensky of Ukraine used social media, posting images and videos to draw global attention to the crisis, using emotional visuals to gather support. Both examples show how manipulating the truth can shape opinions and actions. However, this was not the case for what Indian citizens saw on their TV screens last week. 

The bigger issue lies in the government's double standards concerning the media. It suppresses voices that criticize or challenge its actions, while allowing the narratives that align with its interests, even when those narratives are false. This selective approach undermines the principles of free and fair journalism, compromising the media's role as a watchdog and eroding public trust.

The Kargil War is often referred to as India's "First Live War" due to extensive media coverage. The ongoing Ukraine conflict has been dubbed the "First TikTok War" because of the widespread use of social media platforms like TikTok to share real-time updates. Similarly, the recent India-Pakistan conflict can be termed the "First X (formerly Twitter) War," highlighting the significant role of X in disseminating information and shaping public perception during the conflict. Notably, President Donald Trump announced the ceasefire between India and Pakistan via X, underscoring the platform's influence in modern diplomacy and international relations.

Amid the ongoing conflict, the Indian government withheld the X account of Anuradha Bhasin, the Executive Editor of Kashmir Times, based in Jammu. Ironically, In 2020, Bhasin had approached the Supreme Court, challenging the communication and movement restrictions imposed in Jammu and Kashmir following the revocation of Article 370. She argued that these measures hampered journalistic activities and violated constitutional rights. The Supreme Court acknowledged the importance of press freedom, stating that governments must respect it at all times and that journalists should be allowed to report without undue hindrance. The Supreme court judgment writes “Journalists are to be accommodated in reporting and there is no justification for allowing a sword of Damocles to hang over the press indefinitely.”

The Indian government has ordered the withholding of over 8,000 accounts on X (formerly Twitter), including those of prominent media outlets such as The Wire, Outlook, and BBC Urdu. These actions were undoneafter the media handles removed disputed content. However, the government has not provided details on the specific reasons for withholding or later restoring these accounts.

In contrast, "Godi media" has faced little to no consequences for spreading misinformation. These channels have aired unverified reports, such as false claims of attacks on Karachi, strikes near Islamabad, and the arrest of a Pakistani general, all based on "sources-based" information. Despite this, no action has been taken, even though the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting guidelines for TV channels, dated April 26, clearly stated: "Specifically: No real-time coverage, dissemination of visuals, or reporting based on ‘sources-based’ information related to defence operations or movement should be undertaken."

NDTV claimed that there was a temporary closure of services on the Delhi-Mumbai airline route. The government's PIB Fact Check unit clarified that this was false. A news channel even flashed a report about tank movement in Rajasthan, while a journalist from the same channel called it fake news. Yet, no action was taken against NDTV, unlike the strict steps taken against The Wire and others.This shows there are double standards for the media.

As fake propaganda kept spreading on screens, the Ministry of Defence had to step in. On May 9, it tweeted: All media channels, digital platforms, and individuals are advised not to show live coverage or real-time updates about defence operations or troop movements. Sharing such sensitive or source-based information can harm ongoing missions and put lives at risk. Past events like the Kargil War, the 26/11 attacks, and the Kandahar hijacking show how dangerous early reporting can be. It also Says “As per clause 6(1)(p) of the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021, only periodic briefings by designated officials are permitted during anti-terror operations.”

This isn’t the first time Indian TV channels have spread fake news—they’ve done it many times. In reply to a question by an MP on whether any action was taken against TV channels for spreading fake news or disinformation, the government told the Rajya Sabha on 7 February 2025:  “During the last four years from 2022 to 25, the Government has taken action in respect of 94 cases of violation of Programme Code and Advertising Code by way of issuance of Advisories, Warnings, Apology Scroll Orders, Off-Air Orders etc to private satellite TV channels.”

The same applies to individuals. On social media, Individuals spread false claims and disinformation without any restrictions, fueling war propaganda. This content wasn’t meant to support the armed forces—it aimed to serve political interests and provoke jingoism. Yet, it was allowed to spread freely. In contrast, Gujarat Police registered four FIRs against others for allegedly spreading anti-national sentiments and undermining army morale. While the author doesn't have details of these FIRs, the point remains clear: the government is applying double standards.

In the land of Gandhi, speaking about peace has ironically come to be seen as anti-national last week. While it is true that, during times of war, citizens must avoid sharing anything that could lower the morale of the armed forces or compromise national interests, it does not mean they should blindly accept everything the government says. Critical thinking and democratic questioning are essential, even in times of crisis.

The Chilcot Report on Tony Blair and the Iraq War is a powerful reminder of this. It found that the UK chose to go to war without exhausting peaceful options. There was no imminent threat to the country, and the government failed to achieve its stated objectives in Iraq. The consequences were grave—more than 200 British citizens lost their lives, and the Iraqi people endured immense suffering. By July 2009, at least 150,000 Iraqis had been killed, and over a million were displaced. Report says -In future, all aspects of any intervention need to be calculated, debated, and challenged with vigour.