Media and war Auther –                                         Arifa Noor

In the thick of rising tensions and hurried ceasefire between India and Pakistan, I found myself tangled in the buzz around media’s role in shaping war narratives. While defence analysts tossed around acronyms like confetti, some of us journalists took a step back to reflect on our own fraternity. Pakistan’s media received a pat on the back from officials for its ‘mature’ coverage during the conflict — a rare moment of state approval. But being an old-school hack, I couldn’t help but squirm. Isn’t praise from the government a red flag? Doesn’t it raise eyebrows about media autonomy? Meanwhile, Indian media ran wild, spinning tales that eventually turned out to be bogus, yet their government chose silence — a strategic move to maintain the media’s credibility abroad. This silent distance between power and press, ironically, might give Indian journalism a stronger voice on the world stage.

But let’s not get carried away by self-congratulatory praise on this side. Watching the chaos next door did highlight our restraint, but we might be missing the point. India, despite its flaws, still hosts diverse voices like Karan Thapar, who dared to feature dissenting Pakistani perspectives. And while we often shy away from airing vulnerabilities or divergent opinions publicly, India’s noisy yet multifaceted media landscape has something we could learn from. Yes, The Wire faces bans, and X was shut down here too — but that only underlines the deep-rooted challenges both sides face. If we want our message to resonate globally and not just echo in our own chambers, we must build credibility through independence, not applause from the top.

Overview:

The article explores the media’s conduct during the recent India-Pakistan conflict, scrutinizing the praise Pakistani media received from the state and contrasting it with India’s loud, polarized media. It also questions the lack of platforms in Pakistan that allow critical, dissenting voices and highlights the necessity of building credible journalism, especially in times of crisis.

NOTES:

This article looks into media diplomacy, narrative control during conflicts, civil-military relations, and freedom of press — all themes frequently touched upon in CSS papers. Pay attention to how the article critiques both Pakistani and Indian media while calling for journalistic integrity and plurality. It also provides insight into regional peacebuilding and how domestic media shapes international perceptions.

Relevant CSS Subjects/Topics:

• International Relations (Media Diplomacy, India-Pakistan Conflict)
• Pakistan Affairs (Media and Democracy, Civil-Military Dynamics)
• Current Affairs (Freedom of Expression, Censorship)
• Journalism & Mass Communication (Media Ethics, Press-State Relations)

Notes for Beginners:

This article reflects on how the media shapes public perception during times of war. For instance, in Pakistan, the government praised media for being ‘sane’, but the writer questions if that means the media was simply echoing state views. In contrast, Indian media had loud, even fake war coverage, yet the Indian government didn’t interfere — which paradoxically boosted their global credibility. An example given is journalist Karan Thapar, who dared to interview Pakistani voices, showing courage and variety in Indian journalism. This comparison reveals how having diverse and dissenting voices helps in building public trust and international respect.

Facts and Figures:

• X (formerly Twitter) was banned in Pakistan for over a year before being restored due to external pressure.
• The article references real journalists like Karan Thapar, Najam Sethi, and Moeed Yusuf.
• Pakistani media received rare praise from government officials during the recent conflict.
• Indian media outlets like The Wire are often banned, yet still manage to host critical voices.

To put it simply, In a region riddled with jingoism and chest-thumping headlines, true journalism must rise above national applause and state approval. This article works as a timely reminder that credibility isn’t built through cheerleading but through challenge, nuance, and independence. Whether it’s peace or war, the media should not be a mirror reflecting the government’s mood but a window into truth — no matter how inconvenient.