Jaipur Dialogues Western Media’s Misinformation Campaign: Demonizing PM Modi

[Shruti Dasgupta]

The Western Media has once again directed its spotlight on India’s government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The ill-researched and ill-intended article is sparking controversy and debate. Accusations of misinformation campaigns and demonization tactics have emerged, raising questions about the underlying motives and actors involved. Let’s delve into the intricate dynamics at play to gain a comprehensive perspective of the problem.

The Latest Washington Post Article: An Anti-Modi Rant​

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP party and its Hindu nationalist allies have perfected using social media to spread inflammatory, often false and bigoted material on an industrial scale, earning both envy and condemnation beyond India’s borders. https://t.co/k3jj7iv3o3

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) September 27, 2023

On September 27, 2023, The Washington Post published a critical analysis of PM Modi’s media outreach program. The key points of the article were:

1. Alleged Spread of Inflammatory Content: The article claimed that the Indian government uses social media to disseminate inflammatory, false, and bigoted material on a large scale.​

• Counterpoint: In today’s digital age, public figures across the spectrum generate substantial media content. Political opponents, across the world, often produce content equally aimed at garnering support and defaming the opponent. Thus, fact-checking this overreaching claim shows a bias against the BJP and a misrepresentation of facts. Hence, the West labels PM Modi’s outreach programs as bigoted, while Congress’ anti-Sanatana vomit is called free speech. Then why does the Western media think BJP’s strategies deserve scrutiny?

2. Silencing Critics and Targeting Minorities: The article suggested that social media is employed to silence critics, consolidate power, and target minorities.​

PC Facebook @ Nation with NaMo

• Counterpoint: This assertion may be an exaggeration or an incorrect statement. The nature of social media depends on content creators and their followers. Responding to fake or paid criticism with public pushback is a form of counter-speech. When individuals come together to uphold their beliefs through political support, it does not imply the consolidation of power using social media.

Furthermore, addressing crimes or controversies within minority communities should not be equated with targeting minorities as a whole. Then is the anti-minority label firmly attached to the BJP?

3. Allegations of a Systematic Campaign: Despite denials from the Indian government, the article claimed that there is evidence of a systematic campaign to spread hate speech on social media.​

PC YouTube @The Pamphlet

• Counterpoint: PM Modi has faced extensive criticism in the Internet Era. This fact is sufficient to raise questions about the validity of such claims. However, the Western media has conveniently forgotten which parties in India have imprisoned their critics. Instances of actions taken against writers critical of the government in Bihar are a well-known and documented reality. Boycotting of journalists by the dot-dot alliance is not suppression of free speech? However, the West will ignore these tough questions. Similarly, they will ignore the hate speech by DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sanatana Dharma? Thus, Bharat must only focus on why they want to label the BJP as a propagator of hate speech.

4. A Threat to Democracy: The article concluded by suggesting that the BJP poses a serious threat to democracy.​

PC THISDAYLIVE

• Counterpoint: The notion of the BJP and PM Modi being a threat to democracy is not new, Mr. Rahul Gandhi often makes such claims on global platforms. Moreover, he asks for the West to intervene on his behalf. Why does he want to paint Bharat in colors of extremism? Is this his मुहब्बत की दुकान filled with नफरत का सामान? India’s growing influence on the global stage is likely concerning to the Soros ‘toolkit’ and Deep State gang. Therefore, the toolkit media are reinforcing the fake narrative of suppression and oppression. However, the repeated electoral rejections of Congress and its leaders should not lead to conclusions of the Death of Democracy by the West.

The Complexity of Criticism​

Western Media Critics accuse the Indian government of using social media platforms to spread disinformation and hate speech. Moreover, they plant subliminal messages of minority targeting and suppression of dissent. However, many within Bharat see these allegations as lacking thorough research and context. BJP, while facing criticism, has also made efforts to uplift marginalized communities and amplify India’s voice on the global stage.

In this era of information globalization, it is crucial for Indians and global citizens to discern whether external forces are attempting to deform India’s narrative. It is essential to explore whether the cloak of freedom of speech is being used to spread misinformation. Instead of believing the demonization of PM Modi, citizens should consider those external influences working to steer India’s political landscape in a particular direction. And they must answer, does this article by The Washington Post seem like a media campaign by the Congress? Moreover, Bhartiya must analyze who has repeatedly tarnished India on global platforms. The answers to both those questions, reveal the truth behind the dirty political games played on international platforms by Mr. You-Know-Who.

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