As tensions continue to heighten between India and Pakistan. At the same time, the emergence of deepfake technology and other forms of misinformation are posing dire threats to our democracy. Recent narrative map reports highlight the power of these misleading narratives to sway public opinion. Social media increases the intensity of these narratives, usually resulting in fueling the fire of conflicts. Well-respected journalist Raqib Hameed Naik has tracked down a database of those often false posts that went viral starting in October 2023. His work underscores the importance of requiring more stringent verification protocols when reporting in any media format.
The plight of #studentsinpa has recently attracted the interest of advocates and other stakeholders, from civil society activists such as Nighat Dad and Sara Imran. They focus on the threat of deepfakes and other false content, encouraging students to understand the difference between truth and lies. This worsening development isn’t just the spreading of lies. It is shifting the perspective on the decades-long war.
The Role of Misinformation
In fact, a viral video of a couple dancing to one such Bollywood song on a hillside in Kashmir has been circulating in recent weeks. It misleadingly purposed their last moments to an assault in Pahalgam. The couple tried to clarify the situation, but the video went viral at lightning speed across platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
Raqib Hameed Naik noted, “Misinformation is helping change the narrative, it’s helping win wars.” As he digs deeper into the ‘how’ of this misinformation, he gives particular focus to changing civilian perceptions. “It’s about civilians knowing the truth and differentiating between what is a lie,” he added. Impacts His research findings highlight that researchers had to analyze 437 posts on X (formerly Twitter). Of those, 179 originated from verified accounts, but only 73 had community notes providing additional context or correcting the information.
Naik noted that the current system for moderation and community notes completely dropped the ball during the war. “Truth becomes the casualty of war and cross-border disinformation and fact-checking units are needed,” he stated. His sentiments echo an increasingly worrying sentiment regarding the reliability of information shared on social media platforms, especially during periods of heightened geopolitical tensions.
The Impact of Deepfake Technology
Online misinformation has leveled up again with the use of deepfake technology. A few weeks ago an AI-generated scam video popped up. In addition, the video appeared to feature General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhary, spokesperson for the Pakistan Army, confessing that they had lost not one, but two fighter jets. This video was so convincing that Nighat Dad remarked it was “one of the most convincing deepfakes I’ve seen.”
In addition, a second AI-generated fake appeared to depict Rawalpindi Stadium blown up by terrorists. This video was viewed millions of times before it was fact-checked, demonstrating how quickly and virally misinformation can spread and take root. The personification of this content manipulation marks a new chapter in information warfare today.
Naik said the intent was to shift public perception. In today’s warfare the war for perception is all that counts. When this misinformation circulates, it can stoke hyper-nationalist rage and provoke demands for war fueled by false, generated visual support.
Challenges in Verification
Media organizations are under tremendous pressure to fact-check in real-time war zones. India-based channels such as Times Now and The Daily News and Analysis have come under fire. They front-paged videos without even properly fact-checking, and those same videos were eventually exposed as fake. This calls into serious question the journalistic integrity and responsibility of media practice in times of crisis.
Nighat Dad pointed out a peculiar aspect of one viral video, stating, “The only thing that gave it away was the dialect of Urdu and some words that Indians typically mispronounce in Urdu.” This demonstrates how subtle markers of culture can at times reveal deepfakes, though most viewers might not have this cultural awareness to draw upon.
Civil society critiques have emerged regarding India’s approach to information dissemination, with advocates like Dad arguing that “civil society has long criticised India’s blocking regime for its opacity, lack of transparency and absence of due process.” These concerns highlight the continued need for a more substantive framework for tackling misinformation in both countries.
Leave a Reply