Building Firewalls to Prevent Misinformation

Dr. Neha Saroj

17 May, 2025

Kofi Annan once quoted, “Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.” However, in today’s fast-paced, information-driven world, the spread of misinformation and disinformation can be equally powerful—powerful enough to destabilize a nation. And in this digital world, information spreads like wildfire.

As the fourth pillar of democracy, alongside the Legislature, Judiciary, and Executive, media is supposed to act as a watchdog, gatekeeper, and mirror of society. It has the power to shape public opinion, hold representatives of the authorities accountable, and play a crucial role in maintaining peace and democratic values in society. Unfortunately, recent events—especially during the India-Pakistan conflict a week ago—have shown how far some sections of the media, particularly Indian television media, have drifted from their core values.

Rather than focusing on unbiased, fact-based journalism, many TV news channels today are driven by TRP ratings and profits. Instead of informing the public, they often serve sensationalized, loud, and emotionally charged, melodramatic content that blurs the line between news and entertainment. Following Operation Sindoor, there was a flood of fake news and disinformation from Pakistan—false reports of India using INS Vikrant to attack Karachi, claims of a Pakistani pilot captured near Jaisalmer, simulated helicopter tours of Pakistan, and purported attacks on Islamabad. Even video game footage was circulated as ‘real war’ visuals.

This kind of unchecked and reckless information—presented without any evidence or accountability—reached new heights of irresponsibility and unethical journalism. Eventually, the Indian army and respective authorities had to step in repeatedly to provide clarification and debunk fake news and false reports. Ironically, during times of chaos, people look to the media for calm—but are instead served sensational and false news, which fuels panic.

India is a democratic nation, and in such times of heightened tension and pressure, fake news reported by the media acts as a catalyst, creating public pressure on governments to go to war. This also hinders any de-escalation efforts by diplomats. Often, governments striving for peace find themselves helpless because of the narratives set by the media.

India’s rank of 151 out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index is deeply concerning. Despite the ranking, Indian media still continues to show little ethical standards or self-control. From discussing war strategies to analyzing weapons live on national TV—this poses a potential threat to national security. A similar mistake occurred during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, where live coverage helped the attackers adjust their strategies. National security was compromised. Yet, no lessons have been learned, and the race for ‘Breaking News’ continues.

Despite the gravity of the issue, government bodies were rather slow in passing accurate information to the public. The public felt confused and lost amid the chaos, which led them to seek news from other, often unreliable, sources. While a few independent digital platforms were blocked to curb the disinformation flow, fake news without any concrete evidence must be curbed. Stricter regulations, mandates, and robust monitoring bodies are needed to ensure accountability—especially when media houses fail to uphold ethical standards voluntarily.

In such times, the media has the responsibility to guide the public. It is a democratic pillar of the state. The government must develop robust communication strategies to keep up with the digital age. The PIB’s dedicated fact-checking unit must be highly proactive during crucial moments, such as wartime situations.

Fueled by social media algorithms and confirmation bias, viewers often seek news that reaffirms their pre-existing beliefs. The internet, largely unregulated, behaves like a free-flowing river—capable of nourishing minds or destroying harmony. Shortened attention spans and the craving for viral content have made society susceptible to consuming whatever is most entertaining, regardless of its truthfulness.

Amid this chaos, newspapers, however, gave a glimmer of hope to society. They upheld journalistic ethical standards, continued verifying facts, cross-checked sources, reached out to multiple stakeholders, and practiced the difficult art of patience.

Media literacy, a term that encourages critical thinking and informed consumption, remains largely theoretical. One example was a viral video during a blackout in Punjab—young people filmed missiles in the sky instead of seeking safety. This disturbing incident reflects a culture where youth are more obsessed with digital validation than survival instincts.

Ultimately, citizens must cultivate patience and discernment. They must verify information across multiple credible platforms—newspapers, official government websites, and independent news outlets—instead of relying solely on television news. In crises, the media should understand the responsibility and seriousness of their role. They must contribute to preventing panic, fostering unity, ensuring transparency, and supporting the government in the nation-building process.

Dr. Neha Saroj is Assistant Professor at School of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, REVA University, Bengaluru.