West Asia’s turmoil, marked by Iran’s barrage of attacks, has unleashed a torrent of fake news across platforms. India’s official fact-checkers are battling back, recently exposing lies about a fire at an alleged India-Israel defense hub in Delhi.
Circulating widely, the hoax details a deadly blaze engulfing the facility, with worker casualties from India and Israel. Accusations fly towards Iran backers for seeding this in domestic media. A parallel falsehood targets a collaborative Harop drone factory in New Delhi, reporting similar tragic losses.
MEA Fact Check delivered a clear verdict: ‘Fake news alert. No such joint facility exists in Delhi per official records.’ Public caution against social media rumors was emphasized.
A disturbing deepfake video emerged showing spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal vowing India’s unyielding response to Iranian aggression, promising consequences harsher than those against Pakistan. The ministry confirmed it’s entirely fabricated.
This follows a deepfake of Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar on Iran matters, which PIB fact-checked effectively. As regional conflicts intensify, these digital deceptions aim to inflame sentiments.
Experts highlight the role of deepfakes in modern information warfare. Indian agencies urge discernment, recommending cross-verification with authentic sources to safeguard against manipulation.