Disinformation is weaponised on social media, says N. Ram

Disinformation is a dangerous phenomenon and is being weaponised on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and X, and it is the duty of everyone — particularly journalists — to fight this trend, said N. Ram, Director of The Hindu Group (THG), on Friday (January 9, 2026).

“These toxic and false narratives are not confined to social media but have also entered the general media. 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. There is an attempt to project these as the mood of the Indian people. 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 said while releasing the Tamil translation of Love Jihad and Other Fictions by journalist Srinivasan Jain and others at the ongoing Chennai Book Fair. The Tamil translation has been published by Kalachuvadu.

Mr. Ram said that while misinformation was often spread unintentionally and could be corrected, disinformation was a dangerous phenomenon carried out deliberately and with a motive.

“Mr. Srinivasan Jain and other journalists have analysed these issues thoroughly. 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. They have proved that the propaganda has no evidence and is based on lies,” he noted.

Significance of journalism

Mr. Ram said the book stood as a testimony to the importance of journalism.

“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,” he said.

Journalist Nakkeeran Gopal, who received the first copy of the book, said it was one the country badly needed. “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 defence,” he said.