Indian media’s conduct during the four-day India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025 came under sharp criticism from various quarters — both domestic and international. While the Indian Armed Forces were executing Operation Sindoor, a swift and strategic missile strike campaign targeting terror infrastructure across Pakistan, many media outlets unfortunately chose sensationalism over responsibility.
Here’s a breakdown of how Indian media acted irresponsibly during those four tense days:
1. Real-time Operational Leaks
Several TV channels and social media accounts broadcasted operational details, including speculative strike locations, military movements, and even satellite imagery — all while the operations were ongoing. This potentially compromised military secrecy, and could have jeopardized lives on the ground.
Example:
One national news channel ran a segment claiming an imminent Indian Air Force strike in Bahawalpur, Pakistan — just hours before it was reported to have happened. While this proved accurate, it risked tipping off the adversary.
2. Unverified and Jingoistic Reporting
To boost TRPs, some anchors resorted to ultra-nationalistic and aggressive rhetoric, turning war into a reality show. Loud, often unverified claims like “India destroys entire Pakistani Air Force” or “Pakistan begs for ceasefire” were thrown around without confirmation from credible sources.
This misled the public, created unnecessary panic, and fueled hostility on social media.
3. Lack of Fact-Checking
Many reports during the conflict were based on WhatsApp forwards, doctored images, or clips from unrelated past conflicts. Videos of explosions from Syria or Ukraine were falsely claimed to be from the India-Pakistan border.
This not only misinformed citizens, but also damaged India’s global image as a responsible democracy.
4. Ignoring Official Embargoes
Despite the Indian Ministry of Defence urging the press to wait for official briefings, many media houses ignored embargoes and released speculative information before military clearance.
Such behavior undermines national interest during a sensitive military operation.
5. Amplifying Hate Speech and Communal Narratives
Several debates devolved into communal finger-pointing, targeting religious minorities, and equating patriotism with aggression. This was not only divisive but also distracted from the actual issue — tackling cross-border terrorism.
6. Glorifying Conflict Instead of Promoting Calm
Responsible journalism calls for calm, clarity, and credibility — especially during wartime. Instead, primetime coverage resembled war propaganda: glorifying missile launches, showing blood-soaked animations, and celebrating destruction — without regard for human cost.
Conclusion: Lessons for the Fourth Estate
While India’s military displayed discipline, professionalism, and surgical precision, parts of its media failed the test of maturity.
In times of war or crisis, the role of media must be:
- To inform responsibly,
- To protect national interests, and
- To promote peace, not incite war hysteria.
A free press is essential to democracy — but freedom without accountability becomes a liability in national security scenarios.
Tags: Indian media criticism, India Pakistan war 2025, Operation Sindoor, media ethics, war reporting, fake news, jingoism, media responsibility, South Asia conflict, irresponsible journalism.
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