India’s Battle Against Misinformation: A Complex Web of Challenges and Selective Enforcement
The World Economic Forum has flagged India for the second consecutive year as a nation highly vulnerable to the spread of misinformation and disinformation. This alarming trend, highlighted in the Global Risks Report 2025, underscores the dangerous interplay of censorship, societal polarization, and online harms within the digital sphere. India’s government, however, often dismisses such assessments as baseless propaganda, an approach that further fuels concerns about the country’s democratic backsliding. This dismissive attitude not only ignores the pressing issue of misinformation but also reinforces the perception of an increasingly authoritarian regime.
The dangers of misinformation in India are not merely theoretical. While incidents like WhatsApp-fueled lynchings occasionally capture headlines, the subsequent struggles for justice reveal a deeply politicized judicial system seemingly unable to deliver impartial verdicts. The issue goes beyond isolated incidents of misinformation. It represents a systematic effort to manipulate narratives and sow discord through deliberately false and misleading information. This is evident in the frequent attempts to rewrite history based on fabrications and inaccuracies, pushing a particular ideological agenda.
While misinformation poses a serious threat, the Indian government’s response has been characterized by selective enforcement and a tendency to conflate parody with malicious falsehoods. The case of Ananda Vikatan, a Tamil magazine that published a cartoon satirizing Prime Minister Modi, illustrates this point. The government deemed the cartoon "fake news," demonstrating its inclination to suppress even satirical content critical of the ruling regime. This contrasts sharply with the government’s own alleged promotion of favorable, yet often unsubstantiated, narratives that bolster its image.
The commodification of fake news has become a lucrative industry in India, facilitated by a regulatory environment marked by inconsistency and selective application. The phenomenon extends across various sectors, including finance, where so-called "finfluencers" have peddled dubious investment advice, prompting intervention from regulatory bodies. The rise of Hindu nationalism has further complicated the landscape, with various “supernatural” claims and practices gaining legitimacy, often promoted by influential figures and online personalities. The inconsistent legal response to these instances reveals a double standard, further undermining the fight against misinformation.
India possesses a complex legal framework designed to combat misinformation. Laws such as Section 69A of the Information Technology Rules, the Telecommunications Act 2023, and various sections of the Indian Penal Code provide mechanisms to address the spread of false information. However, the implementation of these laws appears skewed towards protecting the government’s image rather than safeguarding citizens from harmful misinformation. This selective enforcement raises concerns about the weaponization of these laws to silence dissent and suppress critical voices under the guise of combating “fake news.”
The government’s efforts to control the narrative extend to establishing its own fact-checking unit, a move that has faced legal challenges. The judiciary’s intervention underscores the tension between the government’s desire to regulate information and the fundamental right to freedom of expression. While there are instances where action is taken against anti-minority fake news, the selective nature of enforcement persists. The case of Nupur Sharma, whose derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad sparked outrage, contrasted with the arrest of journalist Mohammed Zubair for sharing her comments, exemplifies this selective approach.
Globally, countries grapple with the challenge of regulating fake news in the age of AI-generated deepfakes and partisan online ecosystems. The situation in India mirrors similar struggles elsewhere, such as in the United States, where the delegitimization of opposing ideologies has fueled the rise of alternative information sources. In India, this manifests in attempts to revise history through various channels, including social media platforms and influential figures, promoting distorted narratives and questionable claims.
Addressing India’s fake news pandemic requires a multi-pronged approach. Clearer legal definitions of "fake news" and "misinformation" are crucial to avoid ambiguity and selective interpretations. Consistent and impartial application of existing laws tied to public interest, rather than government image, is essential. Most importantly, de-weaponizing the concept of fake news and ensuring its use is not a tool to suppress dissent or manipulate public discourse is paramount for fostering a healthy and informed democracy. The fight against misinformation requires a commitment to transparency, accountability, and a genuine dedication to protecting the right to information and freedom of expression.