Disinformation Weaponized on Social Media, Warns N. Ram

The rise of weaponized disinformation across social media platforms represents a growing threat to public discourse in India, according to N. Ram, Director of The Hindu Group, who spoke at the Chennai Book Fair on January 9, 2026.

During the launch of the Tamil translation of “Love Jihad and Other Fictions,” Ram highlighted the dangers of deliberately fabricated narratives spreading beyond social media into mainstream news channels and public consciousness.

“These toxic and false narratives are not confined to social media but have also entered the general media,” Ram said. “Satellite channels, in the name of debate, have taken up four issues — ‘Love Jihad’, ‘Population Jihad’, religious conversion by missionaries, and the appeasement of Muslims.”

Ram drew an important distinction between misinformation, which is often spread unintentionally and can be corrected, and disinformation, which he described as a “dangerous phenomenon carried out deliberately and with a motive.” He specifically named Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter) as platforms where such content flourishes.

The book being launched, authored by journalist Srinivasan Jain and others, represents a significant effort to counter fabricated narratives through fact-based journalism. Translated into Tamil by journalist Gopalakrishnan and published by Kalachuvadu, the work systematically examines and debunks several prominent disinformation campaigns circulating in Indian media and politics.

“Mr. Srinivasan Jain and other journalists have analyzed these issues thoroughly,” Ram explained. “They have checked facts and evidence by referring to the internet, government records, and ground reports. They have also made use of the Right to Information Act, which the Union government seeks to dilute.”

Ram described a troubling pattern that has emerged in recent years: “First, there is false propaganda, which is then converted into a case. Subsequently, there is a trial and it goes to court. This has become the policy of the RSS and the BJP. Since it has reached the central stage, many people believe it.”

This phenomenon reflects broader concerns about political polarization in India, where digital misinformation campaigns have increasingly influenced public opinion and even policy decisions. Media literacy experts have long warned that the rapid spread of unverified information can undermine democratic institutions and exacerbate social tensions.

Journalist Nakkeeran Gopal, who received the first copy of the book at the event, emphasized its timely importance. “There are lies upon lies about ‘Love Jihad’, particularly in the BJP-ruled States. The book has disproved them all with solid evidence. Those who propagate these lies have no defense,” he said.

The term “Love Jihad” refers to a conspiracy theory alleging that Muslim men target women from other religions for conversion to Islam through marriage—a narrative that has gained traction in certain political circles despite little substantiating evidence.

The 49th Chennai Book Fair, where the launch took place, has emerged as an important cultural platform for addressing pressing social and political issues through literature. The fair attracts thousands of visitors annually and serves as a venue for meaningful dialogue on topics affecting Indian society.

For journalists like Ram, combating disinformation represents not just a professional obligation but a civic duty. “It is not easy to oppose this trend because it has reached people in a big way. But it is our duty to oppose it, particularly the duty of journalists,” he emphasized.

As digital platforms continue to evolve and information spreads more rapidly than ever before, the role of rigorous, evidence-based reporting takes on increased significance in preserving factual discourse and democratic values within a diverse and complex society.