The Dark Underbelly of India’s Far-Right Media

As India gears up for its elections, a sinister force is spreading its tentacles across the country. OpIndia, a far-right news website, has been spewing hate speech and disinformation, targeting minority groups and critical journalists. Founded in 2014, the website has become a mouthpiece for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its Hindu-nationalist ideology.

OpIndia’s hate speech has no bounds

The website’s vitriol is not limited to Muslims; it also targets critical journalists, fact-checkers, and anyone who dares to question the government’s narrative. In 2017, OpIndia launched a vicious attack on AltNews, a fact-checking website, accusing its co-founder Mohammed Zubair of being a Rohingya Muslim who illegally migrated to India. The website’s hate speech has real-world consequences, emboldening extremists and perpetuating a culture of fear and intolerance.

AltNews under attack

Despite its notorious reputation, OpIndia continues to operate with impunity, thanks in part to the support of US tech companies. Google’s ad platform is being used to partially fund OpIndia’s operation, despite the website’s blatant violation of the company’s hate speech policies. This is not an isolated incident; it is a symptom of a larger problem, where tech companies are complicit in the spread of hate speech and disinformation.

Google’s ad platform fuels OpIndia’s hate speech

As India heads to the polls, it is essential to recognize the insidious role of far-right media outlets like OpIndia. Their hate speech and disinformation can have devastating consequences, undermining the democratic process and perpetuating a culture of fear and intolerance. It is time for tech companies to take responsibility and crack down on hate speech, ensuring that their platforms are not used to spread hate and disinformation.

India’s democratic process under threat