A Fake Propaganda Churning Machine
In recent years, Indian media has under heightened attention for its role in disseminating misinformation, particularly with narratives related to Pakistan. The Indian media has progressively transformed into a propagandist apparatus, producing misleading narratives that align with the strategic and political goals of the state, rather than upholding the ethical values of journalism such as objectivity, accuracy, and impartiality. An egregious instance of this transpired during a portion on @SkyYaldaHakim’s talk program, where the Indian High Commissioner disseminated a manifestly false narrative against a Pakistani cleric, which the host failed to interrogate, underscoring a double standard that must be contested.
In the talk program, the Indian High Commissioner presented an image of a guy conducting funeral prayers in Bahawalpur and asserted that this gentleman was an UN-designated terrorist, Hafiz Abdul Rauf. This assumption was presented with notable confidence and was not rigorously scrutinized by the host, despite the gravity of the claim. Nevertheless, the actual facts present a markedly different narrative.
The person depicted in the photograph is not Abdul Rauf Azhar, the sibling of Masood Azhar, the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), who is classified as a terrorist by the United Nations. The individual conducting the funeral prayers is Hafiz Abdul Rauf, a local cleric from Bahawalpur. This misidentification is not merely a matter of mistaken identity; it constitutes a calculated effort to fabricate a false story, then magnified by Indian media sources and disseminated on an international stage.
The disparity in journalistic rigor directed towards Pakistani and Indian representatives throughout the conversation show was evident. Yalda Hakim, a broadcaster recognized for her aggressive interviewing style with Pakistani visitors, did not pose a single incisive question to the Indian High Commissioner. The lack of follow-up on such a grave claim indicates either a failure in journalistic integrity or a deliberate partiality, both of which are intolerable in any reputable media organization. When Pakistani officials participate in such platforms, they are inundated with inquiries, compelled to justify themselves under significant pressure. Conversely, Indian representatives are permitted to present unproven assertions without restriction.
This episode is not an isolated occurrence but rather part of a larger trend in which Indian media routinely propagates falsehoods regarding Pakistan. The Indian media has a longstanding history of falsifying evidence to bolster its narrative, including the misattribution of utterances to Pakistani officials and the distortion of on-ground occurrences. These acts not only misrepresent the truth but also jeopardize regional stability by exacerbating tensions founded on falsehoods and partial truths.
The presence of such propaganda on worldwide media platforms like Sky News intensifies the issue.
When hosts like as Yalda Hakim do not uphold an impartial stance in moderating debates on critical geopolitical issues, they inadvertently contribute to the propagation of biased narratives. International journalists and media organizations must maintain the highest standards of accuracy and fairness, particularly when addressing matters that may exacerbate cross-border tensions.
Pakistan is entitled to anticipate a formal clarification from Yalda Hakim and Sky News. The government and pertinent institutions should be afforded an opportunity to offer recorded evidence to counter the erroneous assertions broadcasted. The person depicted in the photograph, Hafiz Abdul Rauf, is a prominent local religious leader and not a terrorist. Clarifying this reality is not merely about rectifying an error; it is essential for reinstating honesty in public debate and averting further decline in diplomatic ties.
This event underscores an urgent necessity for enhanced fact-checking and verification processes within the media sector. In an age where information can traverse boundaries instantaneously, unverified assertions and visual distortions can have significant repercussions. The media bears a significant obligation not only to inform but also to do it with integrity and responsibility.
It also poses a significant inquiry: why does the Indian media feel compelled to manufacture narratives to undermine Pakistan? The explanation resides in the political value of these myths. The Indian state and its media affiliates seek to divert attention from their internal problems, such as the repression of dissent in Kashmir, increasing religious intolerance, and escalating authoritarianism under the current regime, by vilifying Pakistan and portraying it as a centre of terrorism through deceptive narratives and manipulated imagery. Constructed threats from Pakistan act as a convenient diversion from these internal difficulties.
The recent falsehood disseminated by the Indian High Commissioner on an international talk show exemplifies media manipulation and state-sponsored propaganda. This serves as a poignant reminder of the degree to which disinformation is employed as a mechanism for diplomacy and the manipulation of public opinion. International media must demonstrate enhanced attentiveness and impartiality in these areas. It is imperative to denounce Indian media for its evolution into a deceptive propaganda apparatus that compromises truth for political convenience. Pakistan must persist in contesting these inaccuracies through evidence-based diplomacy and demand responsibility from international media platforms that permit their use in this disinformation conflict.
