Fake news in India#Fake news against Pakistan

Fake news is defined as stories purporting to be news that are intentionally and verifiably false and has the capacity to misinform and mislead readers.{{Cite journal|last=Badrinathan|first=Sumitra|date=2021|title=Educative Interventions to Combat Misinformation: Evidence from a Field Experiment in India|url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review/article/abs/educative-interventions-to-combat-misinformation-evidence-from-a-field-experiment-in-india/A522EB5164406DE320647014946D31B3|journal=American Political Science Review|language=en|volume=115|issue=4|pages=1325–1341|doi=10.1017/S0003055421000459|s2cid=236238203|issn=0003-0554|access-date=11 December 2021|archive-date=11 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211211134028/https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review/article/abs/educative-interventions-to-combat-misinformation-evidence-from-a-field-experiment-in-india/A522EB5164406DE320647014946D31B3|url-status=live}}{{Cite book|last=Higdon|first=Nolan|url=https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520347878/the-anatomy-of-fake-news|title=The Anatomy of Fake News: A Critical News Literacy Education|date=2020|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-34787-8|language=en|access-date=11 December 2021|archive-date=25 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125191327/https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520347878/the-anatomy-of-fake-news|url-status=live}} In academic typology, fake news is classified into several forms along the axes of degree of facticity, motivation of deception and form of presentation; it includes satire and parody that have a basis in facts but can mislead when de-contextualised, it includes fabrications and manipulation of information which were created with the intent to deceive or mislead and also includes covert advertising and political propaganda which are aimed to deceive in an organised attempt to influence wider public opinion.{{Cite journal|last1=Tandoc|first1=Edson C.|last2=Lim|first2=Zheng Wei|last3=Ling|first3=Richard|date=2018-02-07|title=Defining "Fake News"|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2017.1360143|journal=Digital Journalism|publisher=Taylor & Francis|volume=6|issue=2|pages=137–153|doi=10.1080/21670811.2017.1360143|s2cid=158143268|issn=2167-0811|access-date=11 December 2021|archive-date=6 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006065430/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21670811.2017.1360143|url-status=live}} The UNESCO Handbook for Journalism Education and Training provides an additional distinction of two forms of fake news, one that is deliberately created with the intention of targeting and causing harm to a social group, an organisation, a person or a country, described as disinformation and the other being simple misinformation that wasn't created for the purpose of causing harm.{{Cite book|last1=Cherilyn|first1=Ireton|title=Journalism, "Fake News" & Disinformation: Handbook for Journalism Education and Training|last2=Julie|first2=Posetti|date=2018-09-17|publisher=UNESCO Publishing|isbn=978-92-3-100281-6|language=en}} In India, fake news is predominantly disseminated by homegrown political disinformation campaigns.{{Cite web|last=Bansal|first=Snigdha Poonam, Samarth|date=2019-04-01|title=Misinformation Is Endangering India's Election|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/04/india-misinformation-election-fake-news/586123/|website=The Atlantic|language=en|access-date=28 August 2019|archive-date=4 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104050401/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/04/india-misinformation-election-fake-news/586123/|url-status=live}}

According to newspaper The Telegraph, "a giant chunk of the disinformation is created and highlighted by an ecosystem close to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the Narendra Modi government, and their supporters. Unsurprisingly, many of these fake claims serve their political interests."{{cite news |title=Two faces: Editorial on BJP govt's manipulative ways to spread fake news |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/two-faces-editorial-on-bjp-govts-manipulative-ways-to-spread-fake-news/cid/1870851 |access-date=20 June 2022 |work=telegraphindia.com |date=20 June 2022 |archive-date=20 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620000102/https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/two-faces-editorial-on-bjp-govts-manipulative-ways-to-spread-fake-news/cid/1870851 |url-status=live }}

Misinformation related to coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is in the form of social media messages related to home remedies that have not been verified, fake advisories and conspiracy theories.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/misinformation-fake-news-spark-india-coronavirus-fears-200309051731540.html|title=Misinformation, fake news spark India coronavirus fears|last1=Purohit|first1=Kunal|date=10 March 2020|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=16 March 2020|archive-date=9 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200309153106/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/misinformation-fake-news-spark-india-coronavirus-fears-200309051731540.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.boomlive.in/health/boiled-garlic-water-for-treating-coronavirus-not-really-6737|title=Boiled Garlic Water For Treating Coronavirus? Not Really|date=1 February 2020|website=Boomlive|access-date=2 February 2020|archive-date=2 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200202011607/https://www.boomlive.in/health/boiled-garlic-water-for-treating-coronavirus-not-really-6737|url-status=live}} At least two people have been arrested for spreading fake news about the coronavirus pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/coronavirus-update-health-worker-arrested-for-spreading-fake-news/story/398312.html|title=Coronavirus update: Health worker arrested for spreading fake news|date=16 March 2020|website=Business Today|access-date=16 March 2020|archive-date=17 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317170654/https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/trends/coronavirus-update-health-worker-arrested-for-spreading-fake-news/story/398312.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/odisha-32-year-old-held-spreading-fake-news-coronavirus-social-media-1655623-2020-03-14|title=Odisha: 32-year-old held for spreading fake news on coronavirus on social media|last1=Suffian|first1=Mohammad|date=14 March 2020|website=India Today|access-date=16 March 2020|archive-date=6 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006065537/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/odisha-32-year-old-held-spreading-fake-news-coronavirus-social-media-1655623-2020-03-14|url-status=live}} To counteract this, over 400 Indian Scientists are working together to debunk false information about the virus, as of 14 April 2020.{{Cite web|title=How 300 Indian scientists are fighting fake news about COVID-19|url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/indian-scientists-covid19-false-infomation-coronavirus/|last1=Dore|first1=Bhavya|date=14 April 2020|website=World Economic Forum|access-date=8 May 2020|archive-date=12 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512151111/https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/04/indian-scientists-covid19-false-infomation-coronavirus/|url-status=live}}

The CAA Protests led to a surge of fake news on social media targeting both protesters and Delhi police. BJP members shared videos falsely claiming that students from Aligarh Muslim University were raising anti-Hindu slogans.{{Cite web|last=Goel|first=Kritika|date=2019-12-18|title=Here's Your Round-Up of All the Fake News Around CAA Protests|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/webqoof/round-up-of-fake-news-around-caa-protests-students-police|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202190430/https://www.thequint.com/news/webqoof/round-up-of-fake-news-around-caa-protests-students-police|archive-date=2020-12-02|access-date=2021-03-15|website=TheQuint|language=en}} The Supreme Court of India urged the government of India to publicize the aims and benefits of the Citizenship Amendment Act to combat fake news.{{Cite news|agency=PTI|date=18 December 2019|title=Supreme Court asks Centre to consider publicising info about CAA to curb circulation of fake news|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-asks-centre-to-consider-publicising-info-about-caa-to-curb-circulation-of-fake-news/article30339988.ece|access-date=21 December 2019|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=26 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926224826/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/supreme-court-asks-centre-to-consider-publicising-info-about-caa-to-curb-circulation-of-fake-news/article30339988.ece|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last=PTI|date=18 December 2019|title=SC asks Centre to consider publicising info about CAA to curb circulation of fake news|work=Rajya Sabha TV|url=https://rstv.nic.in/sc-asks-centre-consider-publicising-info-caa-curb-circulation-fake-news.html|access-date=21 December 2019|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026063342/https://rstv.nic.in/sc-asks-centre-consider-publicising-info-caa-curb-circulation-fake-news.html|url-status=live}} BJP leaders shared a phone number for people to give a missed call to show support, which was misused on Twitter with fake claims about lonely women and free Netflix subscriptions.{{Cite web|last=Chatterji|first=Rohini|date=2020-01-04|title=BJP Resorts To Fake 'Lonely Woman' On Twitter To Drum Up Support For CAA|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/bjp-lonely-woman-twitter-caa-support_in_5e10660cc5b6b5a713ba970b|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307224927/https://www.huffpost.com/archive/in/entry/bjp-lonely-woman-twitter-caa-support_in_5e10660cc5b6b5a713ba970b|archive-date=2021-03-07|access-date=2021-03-15|website=HuffPost|language=en}}

Indian security agencies identified about 5,000 Pakistani social media handles spreading fake propaganda about the CAA, including "deep fake videos".{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/around-5000-pak-social-media-handles-spread-fake-news-on-caa/1687209|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104123247/https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/around-5000-pak-social-media-handles-spread-fake-news-on-caa/1687209|title=Around 5,000 Pak social media handles spread fake news on CAA|date=16 December 2019|via=Outlook|agency=IANS|access-date=28 April 2024|archive-date=4 November 2021|url-status=dead}} Social media platforms employed mediators to curb fake and communal news.{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/caa-protests-15-000-social-media-mediators-fight-to-root-out-fake-news-119121601331_1.html|title=CAA protests: 15,000 social media mediators fight to root out fake news|last1=Alawadhi|first1=Karan Choudhury & Neha|date=16 December 2019|work=Business Standard India|access-date=21 December 2019|archive-date=21 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221120407/https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/caa-protests-15-000-social-media-mediators-fight-to-root-out-fake-news-119121601331_1.html|url-status=live}}

Old pictures and videos were shared on social media, some by prominent personalities, to give a communal spin to the protests. Old images were also used to suggest violence at protest sites.{{Cite web|last=Chaudhuri|first=Pooja|date=2020-01-28|title=Tarek Fatah, the unrelenting fake news peddler who targets Indian Muslims regularly|url=https://theprint.in/hoaxposed/tarek-fatah-the-unrelenting-fake-news-peddler-who-targets-indian-muslims-regularly/355214/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213153922/https://theprint.in/hoaxposed/tarek-fatah-the-unrelenting-fake-news-peddler-who-targets-indian-muslims-regularly/355214/|archive-date=2020-12-13|access-date=2021-03-15|website=ThePrint|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2019-12-27|title=Telangana BJP MP shares old video with 'communal' claim to question CAA protests|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/telangana-bjp-mp-shares-old-video-communal-claim-question-caa-protests-114865|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315014735/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/telangana-bjp-mp-shares-old-video-communal-claim-question-caa-protests-114865|archive-date=2021-03-15|access-date=2021-03-15|website=The News Minute|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Mishra|first=Shweta|date=2019-12-21|title=Fact Check: These viral images are NOT related to recent anti-CAA protests {{!}} Newsmobile|url=https://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/12/21/fact-check-these-viral-images-are-not-related-to-recent-anti-caa-protests/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221192853/https://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/12/21/fact-check-these-viral-images-are-not-related-to-recent-anti-caa-protests/|archive-date=2019-12-21|access-date=2021-03-15|language=en-US}} Similarly, old clips of police brutality were reposted and falsely linked to the CAA protests. BJP's IT Cell Head Amit Malviya shared distorted videos misrepresenting anti-CAA protesters as chanting "Pakistan Zindabad" and making inflammatory slogans against the Hindu community.{{Cite web|last=Chaudhuri|first=Pooja|date=2020-02-10|title=Amit Malviya's fake news fountain: 16 pieces of misinformation spread by the BJP IT cell chief|url=https://scroll.in/article/952731/amit-malviyas-fake-news-fountain-16-pieces-of-misinformation-spread-by-the-bjp-it-cell-chief|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210215030450/https://scroll.in/article/952731/amit-malviyas-fake-news-fountain-16-pieces-of-misinformation-spread-by-the-bjp-it-cell-chief|archive-date=2021-02-15|access-date=2021-03-15|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}}

Fake news was very prevalent during the 2019 Indian general election.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/story/india-lok-sabha-elections-fake-news-photoshop-lie-truth-1537053-2019-05-28|title=Clip, flip and Photoshop: Anatomy of fakes in Indian elections|date=28 May 2019|website=India Today|access-date=28 August 2019|archive-date=27 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827091545/https://www.indiatoday.in/elections/story/india-lok-sabha-elections-fake-news-photoshop-lie-truth-1537053-2019-05-28|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/04/india-misinformation-election-fake-news/586123/|title=Misinformation Is Endangering India's Election|last1=Bansal|first1=Samarth|date=1 April 2019|work=The Atlantic|access-date=28 August 2019|last2=Poonam|first2=Snigdha|issn=1072-7825|archive-date=4 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104050401/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/04/india-misinformation-election-fake-news/586123/|url-status=live}} Misinformation was prevalent at all levels of society during the build-up to the election.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2019-05-13-junk-news-and-misinformation-prevalent-indian-election-campaign|title=Junk news and misinformation prevalent in Indian election campaign|date=13 May 2019|publisher=University of Oxford|access-date=28 August 2019|archive-date=27 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827091557/http://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2019-05-13-junk-news-and-misinformation-prevalent-indian-election-campaign|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/india-election-socialmedia-fakenews-idUSKCN1RE08Z|title=Despite being exposed, fake news thrives on social media ahead of...|last1=Phartiyal|first1=Sankalp|date=2 April 2019|work=Reuters|access-date=28 August 2019|last2=Kalra|first2=Aditya|archive-date=27 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827173140/https://www.reuters.com/article/india-election-socialmedia-fakenews-idUSKCN1RE08Z|url-status=live}} The elections were called by some as "India's first WhatsApp elections", with WhatsApp being used by many as a tool of propaganda.{{Cite magazine|last1=Perrigo|first1=Billy|date=25 January 2019|title=How Whatsapp Is Fueling Fake News Ahead of India's Elections|url=https://time.com/5512032/whatsapp-india-election-2019/|access-date=28 August 2019|magazine=Time|archive-date=3 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203201713/https://time.com/5512032/whatsapp-india-election-2019/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47797151|title=WhatsApp: The 'black hole' of fake news in India's election|last1=Ponniah|first1=Kevin|date=6 April 2019|publisher=BBC|access-date=29 August 2019|archive-date=6 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206124759/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47797151|url-status=live}} As VICE and AltNews write, "parties have weaponized the platforms" and "misinformation was weaponized" respectively.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/597mwk/modis-trolls-are-ready-to-wreak-havoc-on-indias-marathon-election|title=Modi's trolls are ready to wreak havoc on India's marathon election|last1=Gilbert|first1=David|date=11 April 2019|website=Vice|access-date=28 August 2019|archive-date=10 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210022318/https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/597mwk/modis-trolls-are-ready-to-wreak-havoc-on-indias-marathon-election|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.altnews.in/how-misinformation-was-weaponized-in-2019-lok-sabha-election-a-compilation/|title=How misinformation was weaponized in 2019 Lok Sabha election – A compilation|last1=Sidharth|first1=Arjun|date=18 May 2019|website=Alt News|access-date=28 August 2019|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125115917/https://www.altnews.in/how-misinformation-was-weaponized-in-2019-lok-sabha-election-a-compilation/|url-status=dead}}

India has 22 scheduled languages,[http://rajbhasha.nic.in/UI/pagecontent.aspx?pc=MTUz Languages Included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian {{sic|Const|ution|nolink=y}}] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604094122/http://rajbhasha.nic.in/UI/pagecontent.aspx?pc=MTUz|date=4 June 2016}} and vetting information in all of them becomes difficult for multinationals like Facebook, which has only gathered the resources to vet 10 of them, leaving languages like Sindhi, Odia and Kannada completely unvetted, {{As of|2019|May|lc=y}}.{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/alarming-lessons-from-facebooks-push-to-stop-fake-news-in-india/articleshow/69421474.cms?from=mdr|title=Alarming lessons from Facebook's push to stop fake news in India|date=21 May 2019|work=The Economic Times|access-date=29 August 2019|others=Bloomberg|archive-date=31 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031081522/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/alarming-lessons-from-facebooks-push-to-stop-fake-news-in-india/articleshow/69421474.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}} Nevertheless, Facebook went on to remove nearly one million accounts a day, including ones spreading misinformation and fake news before the elections.{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/facebook-makes-preparations-for-countering-fake-news-in-india-as-elections-loom-6409621.html|title=Facebook removes 1 million abusive accounts a day to counter fake news in India|date=9 April 2019|website=Firstpost|access-date=29 August 2019|archive-date=29 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829123409/https://www.firstpost.com/india/facebook-makes-preparations-for-countering-fake-news-in-india-as-elections-loom-6409621.html|url-status=live}}

{{See also|Anti-Pakistan sentiment#India}}

A study by the EU DisinfoLab in 2019 found that "265 fake local news websites in more than 65 countries are managed by Indian influence networks aiming to influence international institutions and sway the public perception of Pakistan."{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/265-fake-news-websites-in-over-65-countries-managed-by-indian-influence-networks-study/article29967820.ece|title=265 fake news websites in over 65 countries managed by Indian influence networks: study|last1=Bhargava|first1=Yuthika|date=14 November 2019|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 November 2019|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=18 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018232937/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/265-fake-news-websites-in-over-65-countries-managed-by-indian-influence-networks-study/article29967820.ece|url-status=live}} By 2020, the number of such pro-India fake news websites grew to 750 across 116 countries, as revealed in the Indian Chronicles investigation.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-55232432|title=The dead professor and the vast pro-India disinformation campaign|work=BBC|first1=Abid|last1=Hussain|first2=Shruti|last2=Menon|date=10 December 2020|access-date=10 December 2020|quote=The network was designed primarily to "discredit Pakistan internationally" and influence decision-making at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and European Parliament, EU DisinfoLab said.|archive-date=12 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112173402/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-55232432|url-status=live}} Prominent examples of fake news-spreading websites and online resources include OpIndia{{Cite web|last=Kumar|first=Basant|title=Fake news, lies, Muslim bashing, and Ravish Kumar: Inside OpIndia's harrowing world|url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/01/03/fake-news-lies-muslim-bashing-and-ravish-kumar-inside-opindias-harrowing-world|access-date=4 June 2020|website=Newslaundry|date=3 January 2020|archive-date=31 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131220528/https://www.newslaundry.com/2020/01/03/fake-news-lies-muslim-bashing-and-ravish-kumar-inside-opindias-harrowing-world|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Vij|first=Shivam|date=27 May 2020|title=India's anti-Muslim fake news factories are following the anti-Semitic playbook|url=https://theprint.in/opinion/india-anti-muslim-fake-news-factories-anti-semitic-playbook/430332/|access-date=4 June 2020|website=ThePrint|archive-date=3 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603113835/https://theprint.in/opinion/india-anti-muslim-fake-news-factories-anti-semitic-playbook/430332/|url-status=live}} and Postcard News.{{Cite web|last=Surendran|first=Vivek|date=30 March 2018|title=Postcard News editor arrested for spreading fake news, BJP leaders call for release|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/postcard-news-editor-mahesh-hegde-booked-for-spreading-fake-news-arrested-in-bengaluru-1201009-2018-03-30|access-date=4 June 2020|website=India Today|archive-date=2 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202031832/https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/postcard-news-editor-mahesh-hegde-booked-for-spreading-fake-news-arrested-in-bengaluru-1201009-2018-03-30|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Dutta|first=Amrita Nayak|date=2 May 2019|title=Postcard, Indiatimes in Poynter list of 513 'fake news' websites|url=https://theprint.in/india/postcard-indiatimes-in-poynter-list-of-513-fake-news-websites/230016/|access-date=4 June 2020|website=ThePrint|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122050314/https://theprint.in/india/postcard-indiatimes-in-poynter-list-of-513-fake-news-websites/230016/|url-status=live}}

According to the BBC News, many of the fake news websites were operated by an Indian company called the Srivastava Group, responsible for anti-Pakistan lobbying efforts in Europe and linked to spreading fake news and propaganda.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-50749764|title=Pro-Indian 'fake websites targeted decision makers in Europe'|work=BBC|first1=Flora|last1=Carmichael|first2=Abid|last2=Hussain|date=16 December 2019|access-date=10 December 2020|quote=The websites all copy syndicated content from news organisations to make them look like real news sites. They then plant anti-Pakistan stories and opinion pieces from employees of NGOs linked to the network to serve India's lobbying interests, researchers found.|archive-date=9 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209100509/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-50749764|url-status=live}} These websites, which appear as real news sites by copying syndicated news content from other outlets, plant opinion pieces and stories critical of Pakistan from NGO members linked to their network.

The network aims to influence organizations like the UN Human Rights Council and European Parliament, primarily to "discredit Pakistan". In October 2019, it sponsored a trip for far-right European Parliament MPs to Indian-administered Kashmir, where they met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Domains operated by the group included "Manchester Times," "Times of Los Angeles," "Times of Geneva," and "New Delhi Times," among others. Their coverage often focuses on issues like secessionist groups, minorities, human rights, and terrorism in Pakistan.{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1594928|title=Indian network lobbying against Pakistan exposed|work=Dawn|date=10 December 2020|access-date=11 December 2020|first=Ramsha|last=Jahangir|archive-date=10 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210144049/https://www.dawn.com/news/1594928|url-status=live}}

The EU Chronicle, a Srivasta Group website claiming to deliver EU news, was found to have op-ed articles "falsely attributed to their authors, some of them European lawmakers," non-existent journalists, plagiarised text, and content mainly focused on Pakistan.{{cite news|url=https://www.politico.eu/article/india-pakistan-website-european-parliament-campaign-eu-chronicle-china/|title=New pro-India EU website enrolling MEPs campaigns against Pakistan|work=Politico|date=9 December 2020|access-date=9 December 2020|first1=Saim|last1=Saeed|first2=Laura|last2=Kayali|archive-date=6 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106123319/https://www.politico.eu/article/india-pakistan-website-european-parliament-campaign-eu-chronicle-china/|url-status=live}} EPToday, another anti-Pakistan news website, was shut down after being exposed by Politico Europe.

The network, aiming to support Indian lobbying interests, resurrected fake personas of dead human rights activists and journalists, impersonated media agencies like The Economist and Voice of America, used European Parliament letterheads, listed fake phone numbers and addresses including the UN, created obscure book publishing companies, registered hundreds of fake NGOs, think tanks, informal groups, and imam organisations, and conducted cybersquatting on Pakistani domains. Most websites had a presence on social media platforms like Twitter.

Following EU DisinfoLab's 2019 report, some domains were closed but later resurrected under new names. Researchers state that the main target of the fake websites' content is not European readers but mainstream Indian news outlets like ANI and Yahoo News India which reuse and republish their material, reaching millions in India.

In 2023, Indian media spread disinformation about a padlocked grave in Hyderabad, India, claiming it was in Pakistan to prevent the dead bodies from being raped. These stories went viral and severely defamed Pakistan.{{Cite web |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2414436/indian-media-spreads-fake-padlocked-grave-image-to-discredit-pakistan |title=Indian media spreads fake 'padlocked grave' image to discredit Pakistan |date=2023-05-01 |website=Express Tribune |access-date=1 May 2023 |archive-date=5 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230505061225/https://tribune.com.pk/story/2414436/indian-media-spreads-fake-padlocked-grave-image-to-discredit-pakistan |url-status=live }}

Misinformation and disinformation related to Kashmir is widely prevalent.{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/kashmir-rumour-mill-on-social-media-goes-into-overdrive/articleshow/70636473.cms?from=mdr|title=Kashmir rumour mill on social media goes into overdrive|last1=Chaturvedi|first1=Anumeha|date=12 August 2019|work=The Economic Times|access-date=28 August 2019|archive-date=27 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827110151/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/kashmir-rumour-mill-on-social-media-goes-into-overdrive/articleshow/70636473.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/kashmir-fake-news-barrage-raises-fears-for-india-elections-1.62533067|title=Kashmir 'fake news' barrage raises fears for India elections|website=Gulf News|others=AFP|date=8 March 2019|access-date=29 August 2019|archive-date=29 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829023917/https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/kashmir-fake-news-barrage-raises-fears-for-india-elections-1.62533067|url-status=live}} There have been multiple instances of pictures from the Syrian and the Iraqi civil wars being passed off as from the Kashmir conflict with the intention of fueling unrest and backing insurgencies.{{Cite news|title = Fact Check: Photo showing Syrian child protecting his sister fudged as kids from Kashmir|url = https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check/story/fact-check-photo-showing-syrian-child-protecting-his-sister-fudged-as-kids-from-kashmir-1614936-2019-11-01|date = 1 November 2019|access-date = 17 November 2019|newspaper = India Today|archive-date = 6 October 2024|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20241006065534/https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check/story/fact-check-photo-showing-syrian-child-protecting-his-sister-fudged-as-kids-from-kashmir-1614936-2019-11-01|url-status = live}}{{Cite news|title = Fact Check: Not CCTV clip of Pulwama blast, old footage from Iraq being pushed on social media|url = https://indianexpress.com/article/india/fact-check-old-footage-from-iraq-goes-viral-as-pulwama-attack-video-5587829/|date = 17 February 2019|access-date = 17 November 2019|newspaper = The Indian Express|archive-date = 17 November 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191117041655/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/fact-check-old-footage-from-iraq-goes-viral-as-pulwama-attack-video-5587829/|url-status = live}}{{Cite news|title = FAKE ALERT: Image from Syrian civil war shared as one from Kashmir|url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/times-fact-check/news/fake-alert-image-from-syrian-civil-war-shared-as-one-from-kashmir/articleshow/71116033.cms|date = 13 September 2019|access-date = 17 November 2019|newspaper = The Times of India|archive-date = 5 October 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191005071905/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/times-fact-check/news/fake-alert-image-from-syrian-civil-war-shared-as-one-from-kashmir/articleshow/71116033.cms|url-status = live}}

In August 2019, following the Indian revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's Article 370, disinformation related to whether people were suffering or not, lack of supplies and other administration issues followed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/how-these-jampk-officers-are-fighting-fake-news-on-kashmir/1599887|title=How these J&K officers are fighting fake news on Kashmir|date=19 August 2019|website=Outlook India|access-date=29 August 2019|archive-date=6 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006065501/https://www.outlookindia.com/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/communications-blackout-in-kashmir-a-quick-fix-that-can-backfire-54430/|title=Communications blackout in Kashmir: A quick fix that can backfire|last1=Bhatt|first1=Parjanya|last2=K.J.|first2=Shashidhar|date=14 August 2019|publisher=Observer Research Foundation|access-date=28 August 2019|archive-date=27 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827091551/https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/communications-blackout-in-kashmir-a-quick-fix-that-can-backfire-54430/|url-status=live}} The official Twitter accounts of the CRPF and Kashmir Police apart from other government handles called out misinformation and disinformation in the region.{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/fake-news-galore-on-kashmir/cid/1697400|title=Fake news galore on Kashmir|website=The Telegraph|location=Kolkota|access-date=28 August 2019|archive-date=27 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827084307/https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/fake-news-galore-on-kashmir/cid/1697400|url-status=live}} The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology assisted by getting Twitter to suspend accounts spreading fake inciteful news.{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/4-twitter-handles-suspended-for-alleged-anti-india-propaganda/articleshow/70648195.cms|title=Twitter told to take down handles spreading fake news about Kashmir Valley|last1=Tripathi|first1=Rahul|date=13 August 2019|work=The Economic Times|access-date=29 August 2019|last2=Irfan|first2=Hakeem|archive-date=23 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723123434/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/4-twitter-handles-suspended-for-alleged-anti-india-propaganda/articleshow/70648195.cms|url-status=live}}

The Indian Army and media houses such as India Today denied various claims such as the Indian Army burning down houses,{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check/story/fact-check-no-indian-army-didn-t-burn-down-houses-in-kashmir-1577981-2019-08-06|title=Fact Check: No, Indian Army didn't burn down houses in Kashmir|last1=Deodia|first1=Arjun|date=6 August 2019|website=India Today|access-date=29 August 2019|archive-date=14 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414171909/https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check/story/fact-check-no-indian-army-didn-t-burn-down-houses-in-kashmir-1577981-2019-08-06|url-status=live}} the deaths of six personnel in cross border firing,{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pak-claim-of-killing-six-indian-security-personnel-fake-army-1583694-2019-08-21|title=Pak claim of killing six Indian security personnel fake: Army|last1=DelhiAugust 21|first1=PTI|date=21 August 2019|website=India Today|access-date=29 August 2019}} and a series of "torture" allegations made by activist Shehla Rashid via Twitter.{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-denies-shehla-rashids-claims-of-excesses-by-security-forces-in-jk/articleshow/70746321.cms|title=Army denies Shehla Rashid's claims of excesses by security forces in J&K|date=20 August 2019|website=The Times of India|access-date=29 August 2019|archive-date=1 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901144357/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-denies-shehla-rashids-claims-of-excesses-by-security-forces-in-jk/articleshow/70746321.cms|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/india-s-kashmir-doctrine-claims-of-torture-night-raids-mass-detentions-29102|title=India's Kashmir doctrine: Claims of torture, night raids, mass detentions|date=19 August 2019|work=TRT World|access-date=29 August 2019|archive-date=30 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030004035/https://www.trtworld.com/magazine/india-s-kashmir-doctrine-claims-of-torture-night-raids-mass-detentions-29102|url-status=live}}

On the other hand, The New York Times claimed officials in New Delhi were portraying a sense of normality in the region, whereas "security personnel in Kashmir said large protests kept erupting". The newspaper quoted a soldier Ravi Kant saying "mobs of a dozen, two dozen, even more, sometimes with a lot of women, come out, pelt stones at us and run away."{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/10/world/asia/kashmir-india-pakistan.html|title=Inside Kashmir, Cut Off From the World: 'A Living Hell' of Anger and Fear|last1=Yasir|first1=Sameer|date=10 August 2019|work=The New York Times|access-date=21 September 2019|last2=Raj|first2=Suhasini|issn=0362-4331|last3=Gettleman|first3=Jeffrey|archive-date=21 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921060101/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/10/world/asia/kashmir-india-pakistan.html|url-status=live}} The Supreme Court of India was told by the Solicitor General Tushar Mehta that "not a single bullet has been fired by security forces after August 5", however BBC reported otherwise.{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/supreme-court-asks-government-to-restore-normalcy-in-kashmir-1599858-2019-09-16|title=Supreme Court asks government to restore normalcy in Kashmir|last=PTI|date=16 September 2019|website=India Today|access-date=21 September 2019|archive-date=18 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190918041305/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/supreme-court-asks-government-to-restore-normalcy-in-kashmir-1599858-2019-09-16|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-49481180|title=Kashmiris allege torture in army crackdown|last1=Hashmi|first1=Sameer|date=29 August 2019|access-date=21 September 2019|archive-date=21 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190921034655/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-49481180|url-status=live}} The Supreme Court went onto say that the center should make "every endeavor to restore the normalcy as early as possible."

{{further|Israeli–Palestinian conflict}}

{{further|Gaza war|Disinformation in the 2023 Israel–Hamas war}}

During the Gaza war, social media accounts based in India spread pro-Israeli disinformation, with influencers misrepresenting videos purported to show school girls taken as sex slaves, or Hamas kidnapping a Jewish baby. Fact-checker Pratik Sinha said the "Indian right-wing has made India the disinformation capital of the world".{{Cite web |last=Owen Jones |first=Marc |date=October 16, 2023 |title=Analysis: Why is so much anti-Palestinian disinformation coming from India? |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/16/analysis-why-is-so-much-anti-palestinian-disinformation-coming-from-india |access-date=2023-10-16 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=16 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016033805/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/16/analysis-why-is-so-much-anti-palestinian-disinformation-coming-from-india |url-status=live }} The trend forms part of a wider pattern of fake news in India with an Islamophobic slant, including disinformation on Palestinians coming from the BJP IT Cell, a vehicle of India's governing party, the BJP.

{{see also|2024 Bangladesh anti-Hindu violence#Disinformation}}

Gobinda Pramanik, Former Secretary General of the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance, criticized the Indian media, suggesting they inaccurately portrayed the situation. Pramanik stated that the vandalism incidents targeted only the homes of certain Awami League leaders, both Hindu and Muslim, with a history of aggressive actions. He noted that opposition party members, including the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami, protected Hindu temples and homes from potential attacks.{{cite news |title=Hindu leader refutes false claims by Indian media regarding attacks in Bangladesh |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/760963 |access-date=7 August 2024 |work=Daily Sun |date=August 2024 |archiveurl=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20240808000837/https://www.daily-sun.com/post/760963 |archive-date=8 August 2024 |language=en |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-false-claims-fuel-ethnic-tensions-in-bangladesh/a-69870923|title=Fact check: False claims fuel ethnic tensions in Bangladesh|publisher=DW|access-date=8 August 2024|archive-date=8 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808230641/https://www.dw.com/en/fact-check-false-claims-fuel-ethnic-tensions-in-bangladesh/a-69870923|url-status=live}}

BNP leader Gayeshwar Chandra Roy denied claims by Indian media that his party is anti-Hindu, asserting that the BNP has been inclusive of all communities in Bangladesh and has consistently supported all religious groups. He highlighted his role as a former minister in a BNP-led government and as a member of the party's highest decision-making body.{{cite web|title=শেখ হাসিনা ইস্যুতে ভারতকে কঠোর বার্তা দিল বিএনপি|url=https://www.jugantor.com/politics/bnp/835876/%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%96-%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%A0%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2-%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BF?utm_source=izooto&utm_medium=news_hub&utm_campaign=%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%96%20%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%20%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AF%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%A4%E0%A7%87%20%E0%A6%AD%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87%20%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%A0%E0%A7%8B%E0%A6%B0%20%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BE%20%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B2%20%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%8F%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BF&utm_content=article_click|website=Jugantor|date=9 August 2024|access-date=30 September 2024|archive-date=6 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006065507/https://www.jugantor.com/ajax/load/detail/835876/29/1|url-status=live}}

Numerous India-based social media accounts circulated misleading videos and images about attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus, using hashtags like #AllEyesOnBangladeshiHindus and #SaveBangladeshiHindus, which were debunked by fact-checking organizations.{{cite news |title=বাংলাদেশে হিন্দুদের ওপর হামলা নিয়ে ভারতে অপতথ্যের প্রচার |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/n583q95nsq |access-date=11 August 2024 |work=Prothomalo |date=11 August 2024 |language=bn |archive-date=11 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811194004/https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/n583q95nsq |url-status=live }} A false report claimed that the house of Bangladeshi cricketer Liton Das had been set on fire, which was later debunked.{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/world/did-protesters-set-hindu-bangladesh-player-liton-das-house-on-fire-1814783|title=Did protesters set Hindu Bangladesh cricketer Liton Das' house on fire?|website=Deccan Chronicle|date=7 August 2024|access-date=9 August 2024|archive-date=9 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809235821/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/world/did-protesters-set-hindu-bangladesh-player-liton-das-house-on-fire-1814783|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://timesofoman.com/article/148542-fact-check-false-claims-fuel-ethnic-tensions-in-bangladesh|title=Fact check: False claims fuel ethnic tensions in Bangladesh|website=Times of Oman|date=8 August 2024|access-date=30 September 2024|archive-date=1 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901105225/https://timesofoman.com/article/148542-fact-check-false-claims-fuel-ethnic-tensions-in-bangladesh|url-status=live}} Das himself refuted the claim in a Facebook post.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/354213/litton-denies-rumors-of-attack-on-his-home|title=Litton denies rumors of attack on his home|website=Dhaka Tribune|date=9 August 2024}} Several television news outlets falsely claimed the violence was an "act of genocide" and a "pogrom", while an alleged arson attack on a Hindu temple was found to have occurred at an adjacent Awami League office.{{Cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/bangladesh-violence-hindu-sheikh-hasina-85fe6619c38e1b07e407441cb054a74e |title=The violence in Bangladesh after Hasina's ouster stirs fear within the country's Hindu minority |website=Associated Press |date=14 August 2024 |access-date=30 September 2024 |archive-date=30 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930160133/https://apnews.com/article/bangladesh-violence-hindu-sheikh-hasina-85fe6619c38e1b07e407441cb054a74e |url-status=live }}

According to Bangladeshi political analyst Zahed Ur Rahman, Indian media viewed the situation in Bangladesh through "their Islamophobic eye", despite the view in Bangladesh that it was a popular movement.

Analysts Farid Erkizia Bakht and Siddharth Varadarajan suggested that India's intent to destabilize Bangladesh through this disinformation campaign stems from the disappointment of losing a valuable ally like Sheikh Hasina and from apprehensions about the new government in the country harbouring anti-Indian sentiments.

• Imposters posing as army personnel on the social media have been called out by the Indian Army as false news and disinformation.{{Cite web|url=https://zeenews.india.com/india/fake-alert-indian-army-warns-against-imposter-in-uniform-spreading-false-information-2213580.html|title=Fake alert: Indian Army warns against imposter in uniform spreading false information|date=22 June 2019|website=Zee News|access-date=28 August 2019|archive-date=27 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827091955/https://zeenews.india.com/india/fake-alert-indian-army-warns-against-imposter-in-uniform-spreading-false-information-2213580.html|url-status=live}}
• As part of the 2016 Indian banknote demonetisation, India introduced a new 2,000-rupee currency note. Following this, multiple fake news reports about "spying technology" added in the banknotes went viral on WhatsApp{{Cite book|last1=E|first1=Chiluwa, Innocent|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LJGbDwAAQBAJ|title=Handbook of Research on Deception, Fake News, and Misinformation Online|last2=A|first2=Samoilenko, Sergei|date=28 June 2019|publisher=IGI Global|isbn=9781522585374|page=236|via=Google Books|access-date=14 September 2020|archive-date=6 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006065431/https://books.google.com/books?id=LJGbDwAAQBAJ|url-status=live}} and had to be dismissed by the government.{{cite web|date=9 November 2016|title=Arun Jaitley dismisses rumours of nano GPS chip on Rs 2000. But data show as many as cash fish catches have been done they had huge bundles of new currency note|url=http://zeenews.india.com/personal-finance/arun-jaitley-dismisses-rumours-of-nano-gps-chip-on-rs-2000-note_1948129.html|website=Zee News|access-date=17 June 2020|archive-date=17 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161217103346/http://zeenews.india.com/personal-finance/arun-jaitley-dismisses-rumours-of-nano-gps-chip-on-rs-2000-note_1948129.html|url-status=live}}{{better source needed|date=June 2020}}
• The NaMo app, an app dedicated to Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, was reported to have promoted and spread fake news.{{Cite web|last1=Chaudhuri|first1=Pooja|last2=Patel|first2=Jignesh|date=7 February 2019|title=NaMo App promotes fake news factory 'The India Eye' and users can't block it even if they want to|url=https://scroll.in/article/912405/namo-app-promotes-fake-news-factory-the-india-eye-and-users-cant-block-it-even-if-they-want-to|access-date=4 June 2020|website=Scroll.in|archive-date=13 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613021844/https://scroll.in/article/912405/namo-app-promotes-fake-news-factory-the-india-eye-and-users-cant-block-it-even-if-they-want-to|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Thaker|first=Aria|date=29 January 2019|title=Is Narendra Modi's NaMo app spreading fake news? A journalist finds a troubling pattern|url=https://scroll.in/article/911084/is-narendra-modis-namo-app-spreading-fake-news-a-journalist-finds-a-troubling-pattern|access-date=4 June 2020|website=Scroll.in|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108001620/https://scroll.in/article/911084/is-narendra-modis-namo-app-spreading-fake-news-a-journalist-finds-a-troubling-pattern|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=27 January 2019|title=Narendra Modi App Has A Fake News Problem|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/narendra-modi-app-has-a-fake-news-problem_in_5c4d5c86e4b0287e5b8b6d52|access-date=22 June 2020|website=HuffPost India|first=Samarth|last=Bansal|archive-date=21 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621222557/https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/narendra-modi-app-has-a-fake-news-problem_in_5c4d5c86e4b0287e5b8b6d52|url-status=live}}

The damage caused due to fake news on social media has increased due to the growth of the internet penetration in India, which has risen from 137 million internet users in 2012 to over 600 million in 2019.{{Cite web|last1=Mohan|first1=Shriya|date=26 April 2019|title=Everybody needs a good lie|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blink/cover/everybody-needs-a-good-lie/article26952244.ece|access-date=28 August 2019|website=Business Line|archive-date=8 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308133941/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blink/cover/everybody-needs-a-good-lie/article26952244.ece|url-status=live}} Fake news is also spread through Twitter. and Meta technologies from Facebook{{Cite web|title=WhatsApp in India: Scourge of violence-inciting fake news tough to tackle|url=https://www.dw.com/en/whatsapp-in-india-scourge-of-violence-inciting-fake-news-tough-to-tackle/a-52709823|access-date=4 June 2020|publisher=Deutsche Welle|archive-date=31 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731033202/https://www.dw.com/en/whatsapp-in-india-scourge-of-violence-inciting-fake-news-tough-to-tackle/a-52709823|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=6 April 2019|title=WhatsApp: The 'black hole' of fake news in India's election|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47797151|access-date=4 June 2020|archive-date=6 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206124759/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47797151|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=21 May 2019|title=Alarming lessons from Facebook's push to stop fake news in India|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/alarming-lessons-from-facebooks-push-to-stop-fake-news-in-india/articleshow/69421474.cms|access-date=4 June 2020|archive-date=29 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829205446/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/alarming-lessons-from-facebooks-push-to-stop-fake-news-in-india/articleshow/69421474.cms|url-status=live}} and WhatsApp.{{Cite news |date=2023-11-15 |title=WhatsApp Channels surpasses 500 million monthly active users |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/whatsapp-channels-crosses-500-mn-monthly-active-users/articleshow/105241047.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-08-29 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389 |archive-date=29 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829083706/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/whatsapp-channels-crosses-500-mn-monthly-active-users/articleshow/105241047.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Jaiswal |first=Srishti |date=2024-05-15 |title=How Modi and the BJP turned WhatsApp into an election-winning machine |url=https://restofworld.org/2024/bjp-whatsapp-modi/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=Rest of World |language=en-US |archive-date=29 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240829082928/https://restofworld.org/2024/bjp-whatsapp-modi/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Roy |first=Sandip |date=2018-07-07 |title=WhatsApp has us embroiled in an orgy of disbelief, writes Sandip Roy |url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/whatsapp-indias-leading-university/article24358591.ece |access-date=29 November 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}

Fake news is frequently used to target minorities and has become a significant cause of localised violence as well as large scale riots.{{Cite book|last1=P|first1=Deepak|url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-62696-9|title=Data Science for Fake News: Surveys and Perspectives|last2=Chakraborty|first2=Tanmoy|last3=Long|first3=Cheng|last4=G|first4=Santhosh Kumar|date=2021|publisher=Springer Nature|series=The Information Retrieval Series|volume=42|page=8|language=en-gb|doi=10.1007/978-3-030-62696-9|isbn=978-3-030-62695-2|s2cid=233451422|issn=1871-7500|access-date=8 December 2021|archive-date=6 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006065433/https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-62696-9|url-status=live}} Engineered mass violence was instigated during the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots, through a disinformation campaign propagating the love jihad conspiracy theory and circulating a fake news video.{{Cite book|last=George|first=Cherian|url=https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/hate-spin|title=Hate Spin: The Manufacture of Religious Offense and Its Threat to Democracy|publisher=MIT Press|year=2016|isbn=978-0-262-33607-9|pages=96–99|language=en|access-date=17 February 2021|archive-date=25 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225015707/https://mitpress.mit.edu/books/hate-spin|url-status=live}}

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Internet shutdowns are used by the government to control social media rumors from spreading.{{Cite web|last1=Bajoria|first1=Jayshree|date=24 April 2019|title=India Internet Clampdown Will Not Stop Misinformation|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/04/24/india-internet-clampdown-will-not-stop-misinformation|access-date=28 August 2019|publisher=Human Rights Watch|archive-date=12 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712123520/https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/04/24/india-internet-clampdown-will-not-stop-misinformation|url-status=live}} Ideas like linking Aadhaar to social media accounts were suggested to the Supreme Court of India by the Attorney General.{{Cite web|last=PTI|date=20 August 2019|title=Social media accounts need to be linked with Aadhaar to check fake news, SC told|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/social-media-accounts-need-to-be-linked-with-aadhaar-to-check-fake-news-supreme-court-1582465-2019-08-19|access-date=28 August 2019|website=India Today|archive-date=22 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822111400/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/social-media-accounts-need-to-be-linked-with-aadhaar-to-check-fake-news-supreme-court-1582465-2019-08-19|url-status=live}}

In November 2019, the Indian ministry of information and broadcasting planned to set up a FACT checking module to counter fake news by continuously monitoring online news sources and social media posts. The module will work on the principles of "Find, Assess, Create and Target" (FACT) and will initially be run by information service officers.{{Cite news|date=16 November 2019|title=I&B team to counter fake news|newspaper=The Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ib-team-to-counter-fake-news/articleshow/72079340.cms|access-date=17 November 2019|archive-date=6 October 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006065431/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/ib-team-to-counter-fake-news/articleshow/72079340.cms|url-status=live}} By the end of 2019, the Press Information Bureau (under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) set up a fact-checking unit focused on verifying news related to the government.{{Cite news|agency=PTI|date=29 November 2019|title=Press Information Bureau sets up unit to combat fake news related to government|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/press-information-bureau-sets-up-unit-to-combat-fake-news-related-to-government/article30116077.ece|access-date=30 November 2019|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=30 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191130132650/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/press-information-bureau-sets-up-unit-to-combat-fake-news-related-to-government/article30116077.ece|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=28 November 2019|title=PIB establishes checking unit to combat fake news against government on social media|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/pib-establishes-checking-unit-to-combat-fake-news-against-government-on-social-media/articleshow/72279066.cms|access-date=30 November 2019|archive-date=4 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204102552/http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/pib-establishes-checking-unit-to-combat-fake-news-against-government-on-social-media/articleshow/72279066.cms|url-status=live}}

Journalists in Kashmir have faced repeated criminal proceedings, leading to concerns from three UN OHCHR Special Rapporteurs about a "pattern of silencing independent reporting on Jammu & Kashmir through the threat of criminal sanction." They specifically mentioned journalists Gowhar Geelani, Masrat Zahra, Naseer Ganai, and Peerzada Ashiq, reiterating that "general prohibitions on the dissemination of information based on vague ideas, including 'false news' or 'non-objective information' are incompatible with international standards for restrictions on freedom of expression."{{Cite web|date=2020-05-12|title=Mandates of the special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression|url=https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=25237|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020081749/https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=25237|archive-date=2020-10-20|access-date=2021-02-28|website=OHCHR|type=PDF}}{{Cite web|last=|date=August 2020|title=Kashmir's Internet Siege - an ongoing assault on digital rights|url=https://jkccs.net/report-kashmirs-internet-siege/|access-date=2021-02-28|website=JKCCS|language=en|archive-date=7 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407170445/https://jkccs.net/report-kashmirs-internet-siege/|url-status=dead}}

The J&K administration released a new Media Policy-2020 on 15 May 2020, stating that "any individual or group indulging in fake news, unethical or anti-national activities or plagiarism shall be de-empaneled besides being proceeded against under law."{{Cite web|date=2020-06-11|title=Jammu and Kashmir Media Policy 2020|url=https://kashmirlife.net/jammu-and-kashmir-media-policy-2020-236330/|access-date=2021-02-28|website=Kashmir Life|language=en-GB|archive-date=24 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124025546/https://kashmirlife.net/jammu-and-kashmir-media-policy-2020-236330/|url-status=live}} Writing for EPW, Geeta wrote that the policy would "make citizens passive recipients of the information" disseminated by the government.{{Cite journal|last=Seshu|first=Geeta|date=2020-08-19|title=Kashmir Media Policy: Accentuating the Curbs on the Freedom of Press|url=https://www.epw.in/engage/article/kashmir-media-policy-accentuating-curbs-freedom-press|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|language=en|pages=7–8|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108015509/https://www.epw.in/engage/article/kashmir-media-policy-accentuating-curbs-freedom-press|archive-date=2021-01-08}} The Indian Express published an editorial stating that "at a time when democratic political voices remain missing" in the Union Territory, the policy is an "affront, intended to keep control of the narrative of J&K." The Press Council of India stated that the provisions regarding fake news affect the free functioning of the press.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-16|title=Press Council seeks J&K's reply on new media policy, says it affects functioning of free press|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/press-council-seeks-jks-reply-on-new-media-policy-says-it-affects-functioning-of-free-press/1867855|access-date=2021-02-28|website=Outlook India}}

File:How to Spot Fake News.pdf

Fact-checking in India has become a business, spurning the creation of fact-checking websites such as BOOM, Alt News, Factly and SMHoaxSlayer.{{Cite web|title=Facebook expands fact-checking network in India, adds 5 more partners to spot fake news|url=https://www.businesstoday.in/top-story/facebook-expands-fact-checking-network-in-india-adds-5-more-partners-to-spot-fake-news/story/318468.html|access-date=28 August 2019|website=Business Today|date=11 February 2019|archive-date=28 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828150259/https://www.businesstoday.in/top-story/facebook-expands-fact-checking-network-in-india-adds-5-more-partners-to-spot-fake-news/story/318468.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|last1=Ananth|first1=Venkat|date=7 May 2019|title=Can fact-checking emerge as big and viable business?|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/can-fact-checking-emerge-as-big-and-viable-business/articleshow/69210719.cms?from=mdr|access-date=28 August 2019|archive-date=1 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601210736/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/can-fact-checking-emerge-as-big-and-viable-business/articleshow/69210719.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}} Media houses also have their own fact-checking departments now such as the India Today Group, Times Internet has TOI Factcheck and The Quint has WebQoof.{{Cite web|title=Fact Check|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check|access-date=28 August 2019|website=India Today|archive-date=27 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827203305/https://www.indiatoday.in/fact-check|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last1=Gupta|first1=Neha|date=2 January 2019|title=Indian media fights fake news in run up to Lok Sabha elections|url=https://blog.wan-ifra.org/2019/02/01/indian-media-fights-fake-news-in-run-up-to-lok-sabha-elections|access-date=6 September 2019|website=WAN-IFRA}} India Today Group, Vishvas.news, Factly, Newsmobile, and Fact Crescendo (all International Fact-Checking Network certified) are Facebook partners in fact-checking.

Google has introduced a new feature called "About This Result" to combat misinformation. This feature allows users to assess information and understand its source. It is available globally and supports nine Indian languages including Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Punjabi. The feature provides additional context, empowering users to make informed decisions about which websites to visit and determine the most useful results.{{Cite web |date=2023-04-01 |title=Google fights back against misinformation in India, as fake news reaches all-time high |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/google-ups-the-ante-against-fake-news-8532164/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=The Indian Express |language=en |archive-date=11 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611043923/https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/google-ups-the-ante-against-fake-news-8532164/ |url-status=live }}

In some parts of India like Kannur in Kerala, the government conducted fake news classes in government schools.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-45140158|title=Fighting India's WhatsApp fake news war|last1=Biswas|first1=Soutik|date=20 August 2018|publisher=BBC|access-date=29 August 2019|archive-date=9 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709215020/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-45140158|url-status=live}} Some say the government should conduct more public-education initiatives to make the population more aware of fake news.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-03-17/india-is-fighting-fake-news-the-wrong-way|title=The Wrong Way to Fight Fake News|date=18 March 2019|website=Bloomberg|access-date=28 August 2019|archive-date=27 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827091544/https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-03-17/india-is-fighting-fake-news-the-wrong-way|url-status=live}}

In 2018, Google News launched a program to train 8,000 journalists in seven official Indian languages, including English. The program, Google's largest training initiative in the world, would spread awareness of fake news and anti-misinformation practices such as fact-checking.{{Cite news|last1=Christopher|first1=Nilesh|date=19 June 2018|title=Google wants to train 8000 journalists with new tools to fight fake news|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/pmi-2017/media/google-wants-to-train-8000-journalists-with-new-tools-to-fight-fake-news/articleshow/64653004.cms?from=mdr|access-date=6 September 2019|archive-date=9 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309031943/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/pmi-2017/media/google-wants-to-train-8000-journalists-with-new-tools-to-fight-fake-news/articleshow/64653004.cms?from=mdr|url-status=live}}

In India, Facebook has partnered with fact-checking websites such as BOOM and Webqoof by The Quint. Following over 30 killings linked to rumours spread over WhatsApp, WhatsApp introduced various measures to curb the spread of misinformation, which included limiting the number of people a message could be forwarded to as well as introducing a tip-line among other measures such as suspending accounts and sending cease-and-desist letters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/02/tech/whatsapp-india-tip-line-election/index.html|title=WhatsApp now has a tip line for Indian election misinformation|last1=Iyengar|first1=Rishi|date=2 April 2019|publisher=CNN|access-date=28 August 2019|archive-date=27 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190827091556/https://www.cnn.com/2019/04/02/tech/whatsapp-india-tip-line-election/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2018/inside-whatsapps-battle-against-misinformation-in-india/|title=Inside WhatsApp's battle against misinformation in India|last1=Rebelo|first1=Karen|date=17 December 2018|website=Poynter|access-date=28 August 2019|archive-date=4 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804175058/https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2018/inside-whatsapps-battle-against-misinformation-in-india/|url-status=live}} WhatsApp also added a small tag, forwarded, to relevant messages. They also started a course for digital literacy and came out with full page advertisements in newspapers in multiple languages.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/story/how-whatsapp-fuels-fake-news-and-violence-in-india/|title=How WhatsApp Fuels Fake News and Violence in India|last1=McLaughlin|first1=Timothy|date=12 December 2018|magazine=Wired|access-date=29 August 2019|issn=1059-1028}} Twitter has also taken action to curb the spread of fake news such as deleting accounts.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/feb/06/whatsapp-deleting-two-million-accounts-per-month-to-stop-fake-news|title=WhatsApp 'deleting 2m accounts a month' to stop fake news|last1=Safi|first1=Michael|date=6 February 2019|work=The Guardian|access-date=28 August 2019|issn=0261-3077}}

In 2022, the Tamil Nadu Government announced formation of a special Social Media Monitoring Centre, under Tamil Nadu Police "to monitor and curb the spread of fake news and misinformation online".{{cite news |title=TN plans social media monitoring centre to curb fake news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2022/mar/19/tn-plans-social-media-monitoring-centre-to-curb-fake-news-2431802.html |access-date=19 March 2022 |work=The New Indian Express |date=19 March 2022}}

• Indian WhatsApp lynchings
• Tek Fog
• Godi media
• False advertising
• Fake news websites in the United States
• Fake news in the Philippines

{{reflist}}

Bibliography

• Pratik Sinha (2019). India Misinformed: The True Story. HarperCollins India. {{ISBN|9789353028374|}}

• {{cite web |first1=Julie |last1=Posetti |first2=Alice |last2=Matthews |url=https://www.icfj.org/sites/default/files/2018-07/A%20Short%20Guide%20to%20History%20of%20Fake%20News%20and%20Disinformation_ICFJ%20Final.pdf |title=A short guide to the history of 'fake news' and disinformation |work=International Center for Journalists}}
• {{cite web |first1=Anumeha |last1=Chaturvedi |date=20 December 2019 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/fake-news-still-a-menace-despite-government-crackdown-fact-checkers/articleshow/72895472.cms |title=2019 – The year of fake news|work=The Economic Times}}
• Malik, Shahnawaz Ahmed, [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3660324 Fake News: Legal Analysis of False and Misleading News and Cyber Propaganda] (February 5, 2019). AD VALOREM- Journal of Law: Volume 6: Issue II: Part-III: April–June 2019: ISSN : 2348–5485.
• Arun, Chinmayi, [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3336127 On WhatsApp, Rumours, Lynchings, and the Indian Government] (January 3, 2019). Economic & Political Weekly vol. lIV no. 6.
• Nagar, Itisha and Gill, Simran, [https://ssrn.com/abstract=3651297 Head is Where the Herd is: Fake News and Effect of Online Social Conformity on Islamophobia in Indians]. SSHO-D-20-00611, Available at SSRN: or {{doi|10.2139/ssrn.3651297}}

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