How exaggerated reporting weakens national perception and empowers enemy narratives
India
recently pulled off a remarkable military achievement. In response to serious
provocation, the Indian Armed Forces acted swiftly, decisively, and with clear
tactical superiority. Our air dominance was visible, our missile strikes
precise, and our response firm. By all standards, it was a clear military
victory for India.
But while
our soldiers won the battle on the ground, India lost the battle of perception—a
different kind of war, fought not with weapons but with headlines, hashtags,
and international narratives.
TRP vs
Truth: The Indian Media’s Dilemma
Today,
Indian media stands at a critical juncture. On one hand, it has the
responsibility to present truth, facts, and balanced journalism. On the other,
it faces the constant temptation of TRP (Television Rating Points), which
rewards drama over depth, and speed over accuracy.
Whether it
was about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic ties with Donald Trump, or
the India-Pakistan conflict, we saw many Indian media channels resort to sensational
headlines like “Indian Army enters Pakistan” or “POK is back to India”. These
headlines were far from reality and dangerously misleading.
The problem
is that when you exaggerate the truth, the audience—including the global
one—stops believing even the facts. This weakens India’s position in narrative
warfare, where perception is everything. Our media became so focused on
producing ‘entertaining content’ that the seriousness of the situation was lost.
A Real
War, Treated Like a Game Show
What should
have been covered with maturity and responsibility was unfortunately reduced to
a TRP-driven spectacle. Instead of sober reporting, the coverage resembled a
cricket match or a reality TV drama. Some news studios featured countdown
clocks, animated war graphics, and theatrical background scores—as if they were
broadcasting a blockbuster event rather than a real military conflict.
But war is
not a game. It impacts lives, national security, and the delicate balance of
geopolitics. When media trivializes such serious matters, it sends confusing
signals—not just to our citizens, but also to the global community that looks
to Indian media to gauge our strategic intentions and maturity.
In reality,
the war was decisively one-sided. India demonstrated overwhelming technological
superiority. Despite support from China and Turkey, Pakistan’s high-tech
missile systems failed to cause any damage. Their strikes barely crossed into
Indian territory, while India's precision-guided missiles hit their intended
targets without fail.
However,
much of the Indian media failed to reflect this reality. Instead of emphasizing
that this was a targeted anti-terror operation, the media distorted the
narrative—framing it as a territorial war, aimed at reclaiming POK or expanding
Indian borders. This misrepresentation blurred the true objective of the armed
forces, which was to neutralize threats and uphold national security.
We must
recognize that India today is an emerging economic power. In this phase of
growth, any full-scale war risks derailing our progress. While India has both
the military strength and the strategic will to respond to any threat—be it
terrorism or military aggression—we must remember that this is not the era of
capturing territory; it is the era of building economic strength.
If the
Indian government had truly wanted, it could have attempted to reclaim POK
militarily. But the cost—potentially a year or more of disrupted economic
momentum—would have been too great. In a democracy like ours, prosperity is a
far more powerful unifier than force. If India becomes a global economic
leader, many smaller nations or regions may one day choose to align with India
voluntarily, drawn by its success and stability.
This is the
essence of Akhand Bharat in the modern age—not just territorial unification,
but a shared future built on economic magnetism and democratic values. China
may currently have a larger economy, but the difference is stark: India is a
democracy that empowers its people; China is an authoritarian regime where the
government dictates the narrative. They captured Tibet, but the hearts of
Tibetans still beat for India.
As India
rises, it will naturally be in a position to redefine its strategic
boundaries—not through war, but through influence and attraction. Let us
channel our energies toward becoming the world’s strongest and most respected
economy. That is the true path to power, peace, and lasting unity.
The
Global Narrative: One Truth, Many Versions
While Indian
media was distracted by catchy titles and studio debates, international media—especially
those influenced by Chinese funding and narratives—started building a very
different picture.
Some
international outlets even falsely claimed that Pakistan had hit Indian
military targets. But people living in those areas heard no sounds, saw no
fire. There was no impact. It was all manufactured to confuse the global
audience. This wasn’t just lazy journalism. This was information warfare. And
India was its target.
One
respected air warfare expert, Tom Cooper, shared his neutral analysis. His
conclusion? India had the upper hand. Interestingly, his analysis matched what
Indian media had been saying. But he presented it without drama. That’s why he
was trusted more.
The Real
Problem: Information Warfare is Still New to Us
This whole
situation exposes a larger issue. India has a powerful military, but when it
comes to controlling the global narrative, we are still learning. China, for
example, has mastered this. Pakistan, even with little credibility, constantly
tries to sell its stupid version of the truth. Their news is often not trusted,
but they never stop promoting their angle.
India, on
the other hand, is seen as a responsible power. The world pays attention when
India speaks. The press briefing by our armed forces was watched globally and
taken seriously. That’s why I feel that when our official machinery speaks with
such maturity, our media should match that gravity.
Indian media
doesn’t lie, but it sometimes dramatizes the truth so much that it starts
sounding fake. When that happens, even real news is doubted by the global
audience.
Media’s
Power, and Its Responsibility
Whenever an
Indian media house is seen as irresponsible, it’s not just that outlet’s
reputation at stake. The entire Indian media is benchmarked and judged. This is
unfair but true.
We often
blame media, but it is important to remember: media is a mirror of society. If
people want flashy headlines, that’s what channels will produce. But just
because the public demands drama, doesn’t mean media should forget its
responsibility.
Media is not
just a business—it’s the fourth pillar of democracy. In today’s world, it’s
also the first line of defence in information warfare. The enemy is not just at
the border anymore. He’s also in the newsroom, the newsroom of another country,
typing tweets, planting headlines, shaping world opinion.
The Next War
Will Be Digital
India’s
military is strong. Our technology is reliable. Our soldiers are brave. We are
lucky to live in a nation where the armed forces are so committed to
safeguarding us.
But the next
war might not begin with tanks or fighter jets. It may start with hashtags,
fake videos, and global news spins. If India wants to win that war, we must
prepare not just our soldiers, but also our storytellers and journalists.
We need to
train our media not just to chase TRPs but to protect truth. Narrative building
is no longer just a job—it is a national security responsibility.
A Final
Word
Many media
persons read my blogs. Some of them use my thoughts in their work—both in India
and abroad. That’s why I haven’t named any specific media house in this
article. My criticism is not aimed at everyone.
But when one media house fails, it is not judged in isolation.
The entire Indian media is judged. Let’s ensure we raise the standards—not just
to inform, but to protect the truth.
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