India’s Media Manipulation: Jingoism, Fabrication, AI Videos and Suppression of Dissent

India’s media, once known for its diversity, is increasingly under government control under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Recent actions, including the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) advisory on November 18, 2025, and the airing of a fake AI-dubbed video related to the Delhi blast, reveal how the government manipulates public opinion and suppresses dissent. These actions expose a growing trend of media censorship, fabrication, and nationalism that erode India’s democratic values and the credibility of its press.

The MIB Advisory and Media Control

The MIB issued an advisory to media outlets, instructing them to avoid airing sensitive content, particularly after the car bomb blast. While it claims to promote responsible reporting, the advisory is an attempt to control media narratives and suppress critical reporting. It reveals the government’s desire to control the flow of information, limiting space for independent voices.

♦ Controlling Media Narratives:
The MIB advisory reflects the government’s effort to shape media coverage to align with its political goals.
♦ Suppressing Critical Voices:
The advisory targets independent analysts, journalists, and political leaders critical of the government, curbing free speech.
♦ Government-Controlled Media:
The advisory signals the increasing use of media as a tool for state-backed narratives, reducing journalistic independence.

The Erosion of Media Credibility

Indian media’s credibility has suffered due to sensationalism and jingoistic reporting. The MIB’s advisory, which aims to curb irresponsible media practices, comes after years of sensational coverage and distorted narratives that have harmed the media’s reputation both domestically and internationally.

♦ Sensationalism and Jingoism:
Indian media outlets have fueled nationalistic rhetoric and sensationalized events, damaging their credibility.
♦ National Disgrace:
Irresponsible reporting has brought shame to India, with the media now serving as a mouthpiece for political agendas.
♦ Selective Reporting:
Media outlets increasingly align with the government’s narrative, ignoring inconvenient stories and suppressing dissent.

The Role of Government in Shaping Public Opinion

The government has increasingly used media to control public opinion. The MIB advisory and the airing of a fabricated video about the Delhi blast suspect are clear examples of how the government manipulates media to promote its political agenda. This control ensures the public is largely unaware of the government’s failings, especially in Kashmir.

♦ State-Controlled Media:
Media outlets in India are increasingly becoming tools for the government, spreading its official narrative.
♦ Intimidation of Independent Voices:
Political leaders and journalists who criticize the government are silenced through media control.
♦ Limiting Dissent:
The advisory curtails independent journalism, ensuring that only the government’s viewpoint reaches the public.

Fabricated Media: AI-Dubbed Video and State Manipulation

A recent AI-dubbed video aired by Indian media allegedly showed the Delhi blast suspect praising suicide attacks. However, forensic analysis revealed it was fake, highlighting the extent of media manipulation for political purposes. This fabricated content is part of a broader strategy to manipulate public perception and justify state policies.

♦ Fake AI-Dubbed Video:
The video’s inconsistencies, including mismatched lip movements and body language, exposed it as a fabrication.
♦ Absurdity of the Claim:
The video showed the suspect praising suicide attacks, despite Islam’s strict prohibition on such actions, revealing the manipulation behind it.
♦ Questionable Evidence:
Forensic experts have questioned the authenticity of the video, suggesting it was created to mislead the public and vilify specific groups.

The Media’s Role in Stigmatizing Kashmiris

The fabricated video and other media tactics are part of a broader strategy to criminalize Kashmiris and justify harsh crackdowns in the region. Indian media’s portrayal of Kashmiri youth as terrorists serves to stigmatize them without evidence, perpetuating Islamophobia and diverting attention from Kashmir’s fight for self-determination.

♦ Criminalizing Kashmiris:
The fabricated video aims to present innocent Kashmiris as extremists, contributing to their demonization.
♦ Media as a Tool for State Crackdown:
These fabricated videos help justify state violence in Kashmir by presenting resistance movements as terrorism.
♦ Distracting from the Kashmir Issue:
By focusing on fabricated terrorism claims, India’s media distracts from Kashmir’s ongoing struggle for freedom and self-determination.

The Danger of Misinformation and the Need for Forensic Validation

Indian media has long been accused of spreading exaggerated or fake content to support the government’s political agenda. The MIB’s own advisory, cautioning against unverified violent content, implicitly acknowledges the risks of misinformation. This highlights the need for proper forensic validation before accepting any media content as truth.

♦ History of Media Manipulation:
Indian media has repeatedly produced exaggerated or fake content to align with the government’s interests, undermining its credibility.
♦ Call for Forensic Validation:
The public and authorities must demand forensic analysis before accepting videos as legitimate evidence.
♦ The Danger of Misinformation:
Allowing unverified videos to circulate unchecked risks complicity in misinformation campaigns that harm public perception and undermine democratic principles.

Conclusion:

The recent MIB advisory and the airing of a fake AI-dubbed video are stark examples of the Indian government’s growing control over the media and its use of media to manipulate public opinion. By fabricating content, suppressing dissent, and promoting jingoistic narratives, the government is undermining the integrity of India’s media and damaging the credibility of its press. The media’s role in spreading fabricated videos and criminalizing innocent Kashmiris highlights a dangerous trend of state-backed propaganda. For democracy to thrive, independent journalism must be preserved, and proper forensic validation of media content is essential to prevent the spread of misinformation. The international community must hold India accountable, and Indian citizens must demand transparency and truth from their media.