Fake news targets Muslims, shows Modi in positive light: BOOM fact-check data
New Delhi: The Muslim community is the primary target of fake news, misinformation and disinformation in India, said a report citing data from the last three years.
According to Kashmir Media Service, an analysis of fact-checks by BOOM citing data for 2023 said among the false claims targeting Muslims, at least 84.2 percent were shared with the intent of spreading “demographic anxiety”.
The fact-checking portal said the trend “mirrors the growing prevalence of Islamophobic rhetoric in Indian politics, along with increased hostility against Muslims in the country”.
BOOM reportedly published 1,190 fact-checks between January 2, 2023 and December 31, 2023. Out of these, 15.4 percent or 183 fact-checks were claims targeting Muslims, while 63 were related to Modi.
The report said that fake news related to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the second most in number but many of these showed him in a positive light citing data for 2023.
At least 70 fact-checks were related to false information targeting political parties. Out of these, at least 33 were related to the BJP, followed by Congress with 21 and Aam Aadmi Party with eight.
BOOM is an independent digital journalism initiative with a mission to fight misinformation, explain issues and make the internet safer. BOOM is one of India’s first and leading fact checking websites and initiatives, committed to provide readers journalistically verified facts, a note on its website says.
