How Indian TV channels’ inflammatory narratives risk escalating Pak-Indo tensions

By Mumtaz Ahmad Bhatti

Indian TV channels have increasingly come under criticism for disseminating misinformation, often prioritizing sensationalism over factual reporting to boost Television Rating Points (TRPs). This trend is particularly evident in their coverage of sensitive issues such as communal conflicts, terrorism, and India-Pakistan relations. The pursuit of higher viewership has led many channels to broadcast unverified claims, exaggerated narratives, and outright falsehoods, which have far-reaching consequences for public perception and social harmony.

Following the Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people, several Indian TV channels were quick to attribute the attack to Pakistan without waiting for an official investigation or concrete evidence. Channels such as Republic TV, Zee News, and Times Now aired speculative reports and inflammatory rhetoric, framing Pakistan as the orchestrator of the attack. This rush to judgment not only violated journalistic ethics but also fueled anti-Pakistan sentiment among viewers, escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Such actions reflect a broader pattern of Indian media outlets prioritizing narrative-driven reporting over evidence-based journalism. A 2025 report by the Center for the Study of Hate highlighted how Indian media’s misinformation campaigns have incited violence both domestically and across borders.

This spread of misinformation is not limited to international conflicts. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian TV channels propagated baseless conspiracy theories such as “Corona Jihad,” falsely claiming that Muslims were deliberately spreading the virus. Anchors like Arnab Goswami of Republic TV suggested that the Tablighi Jamaat, a Muslim missionary group, was the primary culprit behind the virus’s spread in India—despite lacking any credible evidence. These narratives distracted from the government’s mismanagement of the crisis and scapegoated Muslims, deepening communal divides.

The News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) has repeatedly penalized channels like News18 India, Times Now Navbharat, and Aaj Tak for spreading hate-filled content, yet the practice persists. The dissemination of falsehoods is facilitated by a lack of accountability and weak regulatory enforcement. While the NBDSA has issued fines and ordered the removal of inflammatory content, these measures have had limited impact on curbing the broader trend. The absence of stringent penalties and the commercial pressures of a TRP-driven media ecosystem allow channels to continue prioritizing sensationalism over truth, undermining their credibility and contributing to a polarized society.

One of the most alarming trends is the role Indian TV media plays in inciting communal hatred between Hindus and Muslims—India’s two largest religious communities. Mainstream news channels have been at the forefront of spreading Hindutva-adjacent conspiracy theories such as “love jihad,” “spit jihad,” and “population jihad,” which falsely portray Muslims as threats to Hindu society. These narratives, often amplified during prime-time debates, normalize hate speech and legitimize discriminatory attitudes.

In 2021, News18 India aired an hour-long segment titled “Khane mein thookna, jihad ya jahalat?” (Spitting in Food: Jihad or Ignorance?) hosted by anchor Aman Chopra. The episode promoted the baseless “spit jihad” conspiracy, alleging that Muslims deliberately contaminate food served to Hindus. The discussion included inflammatory claims about Muslim economic dominance and the use of bodily fluids in food—none of which were substantiated. Similarly, Times Now Navbharat has been reprimanded by the NBDSA for linking unrelated incidents of violence to “love jihad,” a fabricated narrative that accuses Muslim men of seducing Hindu women to convert them to Islam.

The 2020 South Asia State of Minorities Report noted that since the BJP came to power in 2014, direct attacks on Muslims and other minorities have intensified, with media playing a complicit role in amplifying these narratives.

After the Pahalgam attack, Hindutva pop songs and social media campaigns, amplified by TV channels, called for retribution against Muslims. This led to assaults on Muslim vendors, evictions of Kashmiri Muslims, and even the murder of a Muslim man in Agra. These incidents underscore how media-driven hatred translates into physical violence, threatening India’s secular fabric and social cohesion.

Beyond Hindu-Muslim tensions, Indian TV channels have also targeted other minorities, including Christians, Dalits, and Rohingya refugees, exacerbating discrimination and marginalization. The media’s portrayal of minorities as threats to national security or cultural purity has emboldened vigilante violence and justified state-sponsored discrimination.

In BJP-ruled states, Christian communities have faced attacks over allegations of “illegal conversions,” with TV channels often amplifying these claims without scrutiny. In 2024, Human Rights Watch reported that at least 12 Indian states have laws forbidding forced religious conversions—laws disproportionately used to harass Christians, particularly those from Dalit and Adivasi communities. TV channels rarely question these laws or the violence they enable, instead framing Christians as agents of foreign influence.

Similarly, Rohingya Muslim refugees have been depicted as security risks, with media outlets endorsing their arbitrary detention and deportation.

The media’s role in targeting minorities is compounded by its failure to represent marginalized communities in newsrooms. A 2023 study noted that Indian newsrooms are dominated by upper-caste Hindus, with inadequate representation of Muslims, Dalits, and other minorities. This lack of diversity contributes to biased reporting and the perpetuation of stereotypes.

Indian TV channels have also been accused of aligning with the BJP’s political agenda, particularly during elections, by promoting narratives that stoke religious divisions and consolidate Hindu votes. This alignment is evident in the media’s coverage of contentious issues such as the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and communal violence.

The media’s role in elections extends beyond issue-based coverage to the selective amplification of BJP leaders and spokespersons. A 2023 study by Prashanth Bhat found that right-wing media outlets like Republic TV and OpIndia consistently discredit professional journalism by accusing mainstream media of suppressing Hindu voices and favoring minorities. This partisan coverage has tangible electoral consequences.

A 2020 Meta study revealed that WhatsApp groups—often fueled by content from TV channels—spread inflammatory messages warning of Muslim conspiracies, influencing voters like Patil, a bank teller in Karnataka, to support the BJP out of fear for Hindu safety. By amplifying the BJP’s divisive rhetoric, TV channels contribute to the entrenchment of majoritarian politics, undermining India’s democratic principles and secular ethos.

Indian TV channels have played a significant role in vilifying Pakistan, often portraying it as the root of all terrorism in India without evidence. This narrative has been particularly pronounced following incidents like the Pahalgam attack, where channels like NDTV, India Today, and Aaj Tak broadcast unverified claims of Pakistan’s involvement, including fabricated reports of naval and missile attacks on Pakistani cities.

Such misinformation not only misleads the public but also escalates tensions between India and Pakistan, risking broader conflict. The media’s anti-Pakistan rhetoric is often accompanied by jingoistic displays, such as inviting hawkish analysts who advocate for war.

In 2017, channels invited figures like Syed Tariq Pirzada, a Pakistani commentator known for provocative anti-India statements, to create a theatrical “TV war” that fueled hyper-nationalism. This practice continues, with channels amplifying voices that call for military retaliation without considering the consequences of a nuclear conflict.

The misrepresentation of military events further exacerbates tensions. Following India’s Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, which targeted mosques in Pakistan, Indian TV channels claimed exaggerated successes, including the destruction of Pakistani infrastructure. Social media posts and fact-checks later revealed that some images of “destroyed mosques and madrassas” were either digitally altered or unrelated to the operation, casting doubt on the media’s claims.

This relentless vilification of Pakistan serves domestic political purposes—rallying nationalist sentiment to bolster the BJP’s image as a strong defender of India. It also pushes the two countries closer to conflict, with potentially devastating consequences. The media’s failure to prioritize de-escalation and factual reporting undermines India’s global standing and risks destabilizing the region.

A key factor in the media’s negative role is the selection of biased analysts and guests who reinforce divisive narratives. TV debates often feature panelists aligned with the channel’s ideological stance—particularly those supportive of the BJP and Hindutva ideologies. These guests, including retired military officers, right-wing commentators, and BJP spokespersons, are given disproportionate airtime to push narratives that vilify Muslims, Pakistan, and opposition parties.

This bias is not accidental but a deliberate strategy to shape public opinion. By inviting like-minded guests, channels ensure that debates reinforce predetermined narratives—whether it’s the “love jihad” conspiracy or Pakistan’s alleged role in every terror attack. This practice undermines the principles of journalistic impartiality and contributes to the polarization of Indian society.

During Operation Sindoor, Indian channels claimed that no Indian aircraft were lost and dismissed Pakistan’s claims as propaganda. However, international reports and social media discussions suggested that a Rafale jet may have been downed—claims the Indian media ignored without investigation.

As Indian TV channels become known for sensationalism and bias, they risk losing their influence both domestically and internationally. Viewers are increasingly turning to social media and alternative platforms for information, further fragmenting the public sphere and complicating efforts to combat misinformation.

The cumulative effect of Indian TV channels’ actions is a heightened risk of communal clashes and social unrest. By fueling hatred between Hindus and minorities—particularly Muslims—the media creates a volatile environment where violence can erupt at any moment. This hatred extends to other minorities, creating a broader climate of intolerance.

The media’s failure to challenge vigilante violence, such as the demolition of Muslim homes under “bulldozer justice,” normalizes extrajudicial actions and emboldens majoritarian groups. These patterns deepen divisions that could lead to large-scale violence reminiscent of the 1992 Babri Masjid riots or the 2002 Gujarat riots. Such clashes would not only devastate India’s social fabric but also undermine its economic and political stability.

Perhaps the most dangerous consequence of Indian TV channels’ actions is their role in pushing India and Pakistan toward war. The Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor highlighted how media-driven narratives can escalate bilateral tensions. Baseless accusations against Pakistan, coupled with calls for military retaliation, created a war-like atmosphere that pressured the government to act aggressively.

The media’s portrayal of Pakistan as an existential threat ignores the complexities of the India-Pakistan relationship—including shared cultural ties and the need for sustained dialogue. A 2017 article in Scroll.in warned against giving airtime to war-mongering analysts, noting that such rhetoric could inflame public sentiment and push India toward reckless military action.

The potential damage of a war between India and Pakistan is incalculable. Beyond the loss of life and economic devastation, such a conflict would destabilize South Asia, disrupt global trade, and invite international intervention.

Indian TV channels, by prioritizing TRPs over responsible journalism, bear significant responsibility for bringing the region to the brink of such a crisis.

The actions of Indian TV channels have led to a precipitous decline in their value and credibility. Once seen as pillars of democracy, these channels are now widely criticized for their partisanship, sensationalism, and ethical lapses. The NBDSA’s repeated interventions, including fines and content removal orders, reflect growing concern about the media’s role in spreading hate.

The 2022 Reuters Institute report noted that the toxicity of Indian TV news has alienated viewers, who increasingly demand more meaningful content. This decline has profound implications for India’s democracy. A media that prioritizes division over dialogue weakens the public’s ability to engage in informed debate, eroding the foundations of a pluralistic society.

Without urgent reform, Indian TV channels risk becoming irrelevant—ceding their influence to unregulated digital spaces, and in doing so, threatening the very fabric of India’s democracy and regional peace.