In South Asia, India and Pakistan share a long and troubled history, marked by wars, border fights, and deeply rooted mistrust. While diplomacy and people-to-people connections have occasionally softened hostilities, the role of media, especially during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure, has increasingly shaped public opinion in India through heightened nationalism, emotional storytelling, and polarizing portrayals of Pakistan. This has had profound effects on public sentiment, leading to a hardened national stance, reduced space for opposition, and increased risks of misinformation-driven escalations. Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, the Indian media landscape has seen a sharp rise in nationalist rhetoric. Television news channels, especially in the Hindi belt, have become hubs for emotionally charged, militarized narratives that often frame Pakistan as an existential threat.

Many primetime debates and news reports now resemble war rooms, complete with military visuals, background music, just like a Bollywood movie. Issues such as terrorism are selectively highlighted when linked to Pakistan, while other global terrorism incidents often receive less attention. Political narratives often shift toward external threats during elections, tapping into nationalistic sentiments and projecting strongman........

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