Pakistani Media's Response to Pahalgam Attack

Jingoism has reignited in Pakistan with many young men embracing a toxic mix of hyper-nationalism and a perceived need to assert dominance.

Social media platforms have seen a surge in aggressive pronouncements, with hashtags like #StrikeBackIndia and #NoMoreTalks trending.

The media is now resembling war rooms, with retired generals and nationalist think tank representatives dominating airwaves.

Nuanced debate is being stifled in favor of a stark binary, with dissenting voices being silenced.

The rhetorical question “Are you with the army or with the enemy?” is often asked in studios to stifle criticism.

Clips of anchors demanding “decisive retaliation” are garnering millions of views on social media, often selectively edited to create a narrative of aggression.

Social media influencers are spreading nationalist sentiment, churning out memes and selectively edited news snippets.

AI-generated images of imagined missile strikes are being shared widely, spreading misinformation and propaganda.

The militarized meme economy is reducing the conflict to viral content, with warfare being waged on social media platforms.

The media climate is shrinking the political space for diplomacy, with politicians choosing to appear “soft” in election year.