How to Detect Misinformation During India-Pakistan Tension Without Falling for Manipulated or Misleading Sources

Tensions between two nuclear powers India and Pakistan have risen sharply in 2025, and so has the spread of fake news and disinformation. As both countries face heightened political and military rhetoric, social media has become a breeding ground for rumors, false information, and manipulated content. From distorted videos to misleading news reports, these fake stories can cause confusion and even make the situation worse.

In such times, it’s essential to know how to tell the difference between what’s real and what’s fake. This guide is designed to help you navigate the flood of information and recognize misleading content that can misguide public opinion or stir up unnecessary fear.

The Digital Battlefield: How Misinformation Spreads

Misinformation has been around for as long as people have communicated, but digital tools have made it easier for fake news to spread quickly. In 2025, the tension between India and Pakistan has shown just how much misinformation can affect public opinion. The tools available today, like AI, deepfake videos, and social media algorithms, make it even harder to tell what’s real and what’s not.

Past events, like the Kargil conflict and the Pulwama attack, showed us how quickly fake stories could spread. In 2025, things have only gotten more advanced. Digital tools allow misinformation to be shared at a faster pace, often making it difficult to distinguish between a real event and a fabricated one.

On both sides of the border, fake stories are becoming a serious issue. In India, government bodies like the Press Information Bureau (PIB) have debunked many fake claims, while in Pakistan, organizations like the Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) are raising awareness about hoaxes and manipulated content on their social media channels.

Where Fake News Spreads

Misinformation is rampant on various internet platforms, each with its own way of circulating fake stories.

WhatsApp and Texts

WhatsApp is often used to spread rumors. People forward voice messages or text alerts about military movements or political decisions that are rarely true. These messages usually come with a tag like “forwarded many times,” which makes them seem more credible than they really are.

X (Formerly Twitter)

X is one of the most popular platforms for sharing political opinions and news, but it’s also a place where fake accounts and bots spread lies and propagandas. These accounts often appear to be credible sources, making their posts seem more trustworthy than they really are.

TikTok and YouTube Shorts

Short video platforms are another major source of fake news. Videos, often manipulated or edited, circulate quickly, sharing misleading or false information about events. These videos can be altered in ways that make them seem more convincing, leading viewers to believe they are authentic.

Facebook Groups

Facebook groups are a common place for misinformation, where old images or videos are shared with new, misleading captions. These can make it appear as though something is happening right now, even though the image is from years ago.

How to Spot Fake News: Practical Tips

It’s important to stay sharp and be skeptical when you come across news that seems too sensational or emotional. Here are some simple tips to help you spot fake news:

Don’t Trust Everything That’s Viral

Just because something is being shared a lot doesn’t mean it’s true. Viral stories often lack real sources and can be designed to get you to react emotionally.

Check the Source

Look at the website or account that shared the information. Trustworthy news usually comes from well-known and credible sources, like government websites or major news outlets. If the source seems strange or if there are no clear citations, be cautious.

Look for Dates and Updates

Is the story current, or is it from years ago? Fake news often gets passed around as if it’s happening now, even when it’s outdated. Always check the dates and whether the story has been updated or retracted.

Pay Attention to Language

Fake news often uses dramatic language to stir up emotions. Watch out for words designed to make you angry, scared, or overly excited. If the tone is too extreme, it could be fake.

Check the Account’s History

Before you share or engage with a post, check the account that published it. New accounts or accounts with a history of sharing unverified content are more likely to be fake.

Use Reverse Image Search

If you’re unsure about an image or video, use tools like Google’s reverse image search to see if it’s been posted before or if it has been doctored. This can help you identify whether an image is being used in a misleading way.

Look for Signs of Deepfakes

Deepfakes are AI-generated videos and audio that can make people say things they never did. They’re increasingly being used to manipulate public opinion. Pay attention to details like voice inconsistencies, strange facial movements, or mismatched audio and video that might signal a deepfake.

Language Clues in Misinformation: Recognizing Regional Differences

Fake news isn’t just about visuals and headlines, it can also be found in the way people speak that is from pronunciation differences. For instance, in Pakistan and India, there are subtle language differences in Urdu. Pakistani Urdu tends to use more Persianized words, while Indian Urdu is more closely linked to Hindi. This can be an important clue when you hear audio or video clips from supposed political leaders. A fake audio might mix up these regional differences, making it easier to spot.

Psychological Impact of Fake News

Misinformation often targets your emotions, trying to get you to react without thinking. It plays on your fear, anger, and national pride to make you believe things that aren’t true. This is a form of psychological manipulation. The goal is not just to mislead you but to make you feel something—so you’ll act on that feeling, whether it’s sharing a post or believing in a false narrative.

Fake news stories are often repeated, which makes them seem more legitimate over time. This is why it’s so important to slow down and check the facts before reacting.

Why Institutions Struggle to Fight Misinformation

While social media platforms like Facebook and X have tried to curb the spread of fake news, their efforts often fall short, especially when it comes to regional languages. Automated systems can’t always catch the nuances of local languages, and manual moderation is overwhelmed by the sheer volume of content.

In India and Pakistan, fact-checking organizations like PIB and DRF are doing good work, but they can’t keep up with the constant flood of fake content produced by army of bots and automated programs. It’s clear that more needs to be done to tackle this problem.

What You Can Do as a Reader

It’s up to each of us to do our part in fighting fake news. Here’s how you can help:

Verify before you share. Always check the source and use fact-checking tools to confirm the information.

Don’t fall for sensationalism. If something makes you feel overly emotional, take a moment to stop and think.

Report fake content. If you come across misinformation, don’t just ignore it, report it so it doesn’t spread.

Educate yourself and others. Share tips on how to spot fake news with your friends and family so they don’t fall for it either.

Final Thoughts

As tensions between India and Pakistan continue, the importance of identifying fake news will only grow. By staying vigilant and skeptical, you can help ensure that truth prevails over lies. It’s our collective responsibility to challenge fake stories and demand better from the sources we trust. By doing so, we can prevent misinformation from causing harm and contribute to a more informed and peaceful world.

Image: DIW-Aigen

Read next: New Study Reveals Critical Thinking is More Effective at Combating Misinformation Than Censorship

Tags:

You might like

View all
Previous Post Next Post
Share to other apps
Copy Post Link