{"id":1306,"date":"2024-01-04T20:01:37","date_gmt":"2024-01-04T20:01:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/joyojeet.people.si.umich.edu\/?page_id=1306"},"modified":"2026-04-24T22:33:04","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T22:33:04","slug":"media-coverage","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/joyojeet.people.si.umich.edu\/?page_id=1306","title":{"rendered":"Media Coverage"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Here is some media coverage of our work in recent years. Most of this is work on social media use in Inda, with some past work on my documentary work on Rajinikanth. The University of Michigan maintains a more complete list of media coverage here<\/a>. For members of the press seeking print comments, please write me at [my first name]at[umich]edu. I prefer written questions that I can offer specific responses to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bellingcat, March 2026, How India\u2019s Ruling Party is Using AI to Boost Hate Speech in States Near Bangladesh<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chicago Tribune, March 2026, Raja Krishnamoorthi\u2019s fundraising draws scrutiny in Senate race<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hindu, February 2026, ICE: How are Trump\u2019s military-style anti-immigrant raids impacting America?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Print, November 2025, Reddit is the new site of north-south divide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wire, October 2025, ‘Sportspersons in India Use Twitter to Appease Power, Not Voice Dissent,’ Finds Study<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CNBC, October 2025, CNBC\u2019s Inside India newsletter: From X to TikTok clones, and now a \u2018WhatsApp killer\u2019: India\u2019s search for indigenous apps<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wire, October 2025, The Indian Cricket Team Now Functions as the BJP\u2019s Sporting Arm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Central, September 2025, Are Indians safe abroad? Press freedom and court orders<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hindustan Times, September 2025, Missing on the ground, more than handshakes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scroll, September 2025, Indian-Americans donate three times more to Democrats than Republicans, shows new study<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

NDTV, September 2025, All About The Money? Paper On Indian-Americans And Trump’s 50% Tariffs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Business Today, September 2025, Trump didn\u2019t get Indian-American money, and India got the tariffs: A paper connects the dots<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Economist, August 2025, How Rajinikanth, a 74-year-old actor, drives fans into a frenzy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BBC, August 2025, From bus conductor to superstar: Rajinikanth completes 50 years in Indian films<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newslaundry, July 2025, The performance of authority on social media<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Economic Times, June 2025, Operation Social Media: The India-Pakistan war wasn\u2019t just over borders<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Guardian, May 2025, How social media lies fuelled a rush to war between India and Pakistan<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

TVO Canada, May 2025, Behind India and Pakistan’s Information War<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

France24, May 2025, No truce in India-Pakistan disinformation war<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Print, May 2025, Tamil Nadu\u2019s Anganwadi workers are drowning in data duties. Apps, OTPs & digital surveillance<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bloomberg, May 2025, India and Pakistan’s information war is more heated than ever<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washington Post, May 2025, Fog of war thickens as India and Pakistan trade blame and accusations<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hindu, April 2025, India’s political infodemic: Notes from five state elections<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The New Indian Express, April 2025, The brave new universe of social media<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

BBC, March 2025, Why Elon Musk’s Grok is kicking up a storm in India<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scroll, January 2025, YouTube influencers, not mainstream media, dominate political interviewing in India<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BBC Hindi, January 2025, \u0921\u094b\u0928\u093e\u0932\u094d\u0921 \u091f\u094d\u0930\u0902\u092a \u0915\u0947 \u0938\u092e\u093e\u0930\u094b\u0939 \u092e\u0947\u0902 \u092a\u0940\u090f\u092e \u092e\u094b\u0926\u0940 \u0915\u0940 \u0917\u093c\u0948\u0930 \u092e\u094c\u091c\u0942\u0926\u0917\u0940 \u0914\u0930 \u092e\u0947\u0939\u092e\u093e\u0928\u094b\u0902 \u0915\u0940 \u0938\u0942\u091a\u0940 \u092a\u0930 \u0915\u094d\u092f\u094b\u0902 \u0939\u094b \u0930\u0939\u0940 \u091a\u0930\u094d\u091a\u093e?<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al Jazeera, December 2024, How George Soros became \u2018Enemy Number 1\u2019 for India\u2019s Modi<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC), December 2024, Here and Now Toronto<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

South China Morning Post, December 2024, India\u2019s BJP accuses the US \u2018deep state\u2019 of meddling \u2013 is it a ploy to cover its flaws?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Print, December 2024, Who are India’s Social Science thinkers of the next decade: The Print Intellectuals List<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Telegraph, December 2024, Who is George Soros, the man BJP says is hand in glove with Rahul Gandhi to destabilise India?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mint, October 2024, Why the US 2024 presidential election is a Diwali gift to Indian Americans<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scroll, September 2024, There is a reason your X feed has turned more toxic. Have you heard of \u2018engagement farming\u2019?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wire, August 2024, ‘Spiral of Silence’: Study Finds Why Social Media Influencers Shy Away From Posting Against the BJP<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indian Express, August 2024, From lies to likes: How false narratives thrive on social media<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial Express, Bangladesh, August 2024. Showing August 5 revolution in bad light<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fox2 Detroit, June 2024. From Whitmer’s Webby to Desantis’ campaign launch with Elon Musk, social media’s role is changing politcs<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mint, June 2024. The Age of the influencer is truly upon us<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AFP, June 2024: India awaits election results after deluge of disinformation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

France 24, June, India awaits results of general election marred by ‘unprecented’ disinformation<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Straits Times, May 2024, Political misinformation keeps India\u2019s fact-checkers in overdrive<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Outlook, May 2024, Omnipresent Modi, Disappearing \u2018400 Paar’ And Anti-Muslim Claims: A Roundup Of BJP\u2019s 2024 Campaign<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial Express, May 2024: March of the Poll-fluencers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Channel Four (UK), May 2024: India\u2019s \u2018YouTube election\u2019: Influencers enlisted to mobilise youth vote<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fairplanet, May 2024: Deepfakes have penetrated India’s general election<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hindu, May 2024: When Control is Disguised as Reform<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nikkei Asia, May 2024: India’s Instagrab: Modi’s re-election bid weaponizes social media influencers <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sky News, May 2024: Deepfakes and influencers: The digital election in India <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BBC, May 2024: Lok Sabha 2024: The influencers driving India’s big election<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Print, May 2024: Rahul Gandhi\u2019s struggle with \u2018basics of politics\u2019, who killed Nijjar & how India is \u2018ruled\u2019, not \u2018governed\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tagesschau (Germany). May 2024: “Herr Modi” und seine Familie<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Scientist, April 2024: Deepfake politicians may have a big influence on India\u2019s elections<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tech Policy, April 2024: Compromised Information Environment Casts Doubt on the Fairness of India’s Elections<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wire, April 2024: How National Creators Award Winners Amplified BJP\u2019s Message<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

France24 \/ Agence France Presse, April 2024: La IA resucita a pol\u00edticos en la campa\u00f1a electoral de India<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boomlive, April 2024: Influencers Drum Up Publicity for the Government without Disclaimers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Economic Times, March 2024: Not food or lipstick vlogs, but social media influencers are also India’s new election campaigners<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al Jazeera, March 2024: \u2018Inflection point\u2019: AI meme wars hit India election, test social platforms<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial Times, February 2024: \u2018Curly Tales\u2019 and \u2018BeerBiceps\u2019: Narendra Modi\u2019s BJP taps influencers ahead of India election<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Countercurrents, February 2024: India faces AI-disinformation threat ahead of elections<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newslaundry, February 2024: Research paper points to BJP\u2019s \u2018massive advantage\u2019 through YouTube influencers<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rest of World, February 2024: How Narendra Modi became India\u2019s influencer-in-chief<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mint Lounge, January 2024: The celebrity circus over the Maldives fracas<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Economic Times, January 2024: Is it time to update Model Code of Conduct? Adapting to tech-driven election landscape<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Washington Post, December 2023: Covert Indian operation seeks to discredit Modi\u2019s critics in the U.S.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Wire, December 2023: Making Disability a Joke Is Neither Comedy Nor Art<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wired, November 2023: YouTube and Reels could decide India\u2019s Elections<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al Jazeera, October 2023: In India’s strife torn Manipur narrative battle is fought on social media<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bloomberg, September 2023: TikTok’s Rules Deter Researchers From Crunching Data on Users, Misinformation<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Times of India, Aug 2023: Bird’s Flown: Is the end of Twitter near?<\/a> (podcast)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Hindu, June 2023: A new science: Using physics to understand hate groups on the internet<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New York TImes, June 2023: Why is Narendra Modi So Popular?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deccan Herald, June 2023: Criticizing the Courts<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Newslaundry, May 2023: Anti-Hindu, woke feminist: Inside the unprecedented online trolling of CJI Chandrachud<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quartz, April 2023: How George Soros became a punching bag for rightwing Twitter in India<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BBC, March 2023: Gandhi says disqualification ‘politically motivated<\/a>\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forbidden Stories, February 2023: In the age of false news: a journalist, a murder, and the pursuit of an unfinished investigation in India<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial Times (London), February 2023: Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s opponents seize on Adani Group woes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forbes: February 2023: ANTI-SOCIAL CCP Act Would Ban TikTok In The United States<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aricle 14: February 2023: Men\u2019s Rights Activism In India Is Evolving, Intersecting With Right Wing Campaign<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Financial Times (London), February 2023: How did Hindenburg short Adani stock?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Forbes, February 2023: Free Speech Absolutist Elon Musk Removed BBC Documentary Critical Of India\u2019s Leader<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

France24, January 2023: Disinformation stalks Rahul Gandhi on trans-India trek\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anurag Minus Verma, December 2022: The Future of Social Media<\/a> (podcast – Hindi) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Times of India September 2022: Can hashtags bring down Bollywood?<\/a> (podcast)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Guardian, September 2022: Bollywood under siege as rightwing social media boycotts start to bite<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deccan Chronicle, August 2022: BJP, Congress spread lies on social media during 2019 polls: Study<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rest of World, August 2022: Right-wing groups are exploiting OSINT to spread propaganda in India<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bloomberg Quint, April 2022: Indian Business Doesn\u2019t Speak Up Against Injustice. Here\u2019s Proof<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Times of India, February 2021: Kerala has set benchmark in e-governance, say experts<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Scroll, February 2021: Farm laws: Indian celebrities engaged in collusive tweeting to support Centre, shows study<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Times of India, October 2020: Dalit MPs less likely to be heard on Twitter than upper castes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

India Today, October 2020: Was BJP Involved In Pushing Murder Narrative Over Sushant’s Death?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

NDTV, October 2020: The truth behind fake handles in the Sushant Singh Rajput<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boom Live, May 2020: How does fake news spread?<\/a> (Podcast)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al Jazeera, May 2020: Indian media accused of Islamophobia for its coronavirus coverage<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Puliyabaazi, May 2020: \u0930\u093e\u091c\u0928\u0948\u0924\u093f\u0915 \u0926\u0932, \u0938\u094b\u0936\u0932 \u092e\u0940\u0921\u093f\u092f\u093e, \u0914\u0930 \u091f\u0947\u0915\u094d\u0928\u094b\u0932\u0949\u091c\u0940 (Political Parties, Social Media, and Technology)<\/a> (podcast-Hindi) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Times of India, April 2020. Interview of Joyojeet Pal: Polarisation is a driver of fake news as people are more ready to to blame others<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Quint, April 2020: Increase in Communal Tone in COVID-19 Fake News in India: Study<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Times of India, December 2019: India an Ideal Place for User Experience Design<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ganatantra, August 2019: Social Media, Political Messaging, and Branding<\/a> (podcast) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Al Jazeera (Listening Post), May 2019: Big money, high stakes \u2013 playing the media game as India votes<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Guardian, December 2018: The populist social media playbook: the battle for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Indian Express, September 2018: Tweeting in Hindi gaining popularity in India, says US study<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Times of India, November 2017: How PM Narendra Modi wins over social media with sarcasm<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Times of India, March 2016: Modi uses Twitter to bypass media<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scroll, September 2015: Man, god or beyond? The Rajinikanth cult as seen through the worshipful eyes of his fans<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DNA India, August 2015: Wanted to understand the evolution of Rajinikanth’s fandom, says Joyojeet Pal<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Economic Times, August 2015: Documentary on Rajnikanth fans to premiere at Venice Film fest<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DNA India, August 2015: Rajinikanth decoded: A documentary that shows why the Superstar is a phenomenon<\/a>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/p>\n\n\n\n


<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here is some media coverage of our work in recent years. Most of this is work on social media use in Inda, with some past work on my documentary work on Rajinikanth. The University of Michigan maintains a more complete list of media coverage here. For members of the press seeking print comments, please write […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1306","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/joyojeet.people.si.umich.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1306","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/joyojeet.people.si.umich.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/joyojeet.people.si.umich.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joyojeet.people.si.umich.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/joyojeet.people.si.umich.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1306"}],"version-history":[{"count":54,"href":"https:\/\/joyojeet.people.si.umich.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1306\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1551,"href":"https:\/\/joyojeet.people.si.umich.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1306\/revisions\/1551"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/joyojeet.people.si.umich.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1306"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}