India’s mainstream media, long touted as the “fourth pillar of democracy,” has in recent years revealed itself to be a hollow claim. Rather than scrutinising those in power or holding the government accountable, large swathes of India’s media ecosystem have devolved into a spectacle of sensationalism, hyper-nationalism, and Pakistan-bashing. The result is a press that systematically fails its most basic responsibility: informing the citizenry and acting as a watchdog.

At the heart of the problem is a perverse prioritisation of external narratives over domestic accountability. Headlines are filled with stories of alleged Pakistani plots, border skirmishes, or inflammatory social media posts, while glaring corruption, policy failures, or human rights violations within India barely receive coverage. Take, for example, the massive economic challenges India faces—skyrocketing unemployment, inflation, or agrarian distress.

These are issues that directly affect millions, yet prime-time discussions often revolve around alleged espionage or provocative statements by Pakistani officials, frequently with little to no evidence. By contrast, genuine mismanagement, questionable government contracts, or controversial legislation are either buried, glossed over, or reported in a manner sympathetic to the ruling party.

This obsession with Pakistan is not just incidental; it is structurally embedded in the media ecosystem. Television news channels, in particular, thrive on “breaking news” loops that dramatise India-Pakistan tensions. Every minor event across the border is magnified, often accompanied by........

© The Friday Times