Derek O'Brien Examines the Media-Politics Nexus in 2026 Elections
Derek O'Brien shares his insights on the upcoming 2026 elections. He calls it a mix of past digital trends. The 2019 polls were India's first WhatsApp Elections. The 2024 elections went digital forward. Now, 2026 combines both elements. O'Brien predicts 2029 will be the AI election. He writes as a keen student of media and politics.
The Growing Menace of Fake News
Fake news acts like yellow journalism on steroids. Technology amplifies sensationalism. It spreads fast with little accountability. In India, fake news lacks a legal definition. The Australian eSafety Commissioner defines it as fictional stories supporting agendas.
Three out of five internet users in India access news online. This makes fake news proliferation worrying. A 2025 Pew Research study found 65% of people see made-up news as a huge concern. India ranks high globally in this worry.
Fake news has become a structural feature of Indian elections. Votes are cast offline, but the battle happens online. India had over 90 crore internet users in 2025. Influencing perceptions now takes just a few clicks. An Indian School of Business and CyberPeace study revealed 46% of fake news is political.
Fake news peaks around elections. The National Crime Records Bureau recorded a 70% rise in fake news cases in 2019. That was an election year. Digital platforms like Facebook, X, and WhatsApp enable rapid spread. Doctored videos and AI-generated content blur facts. Algorithms push such content to go viral.
India has close to 900 private TV channels. Nearly half are news channels. Television reaches 23 crore homes. Yet, a Reuters Institute report shows a shift. Seven out of 10 Indians prefer news online. Half get news from social media. YouTube leads with 55%, followed by WhatsApp at 46%, Instagram at 37%, and Facebook at 36%. Newspapers in regional and English languages still hold high credibility.
The Rise of Influencers in Political Campaigns
Social media use boosts influencers' power. These individuals have strong research and production teams. They build large followings through personal brand equity. Among Gen Z, only 13% prefer celebrities. Over 86% prefer influencers.
Influencers' reach has become crucial. Many senior politicians now give them interviews. The Union government engages influencers too. It empanels influencer agencies on MyGov. In 2023, four influencers were empanelled. One CEO supports the ruling dispensation.
Deepfakes: A Potent Tool in Elections
Deepfakes are digitally altered videos. They create false scenarios. Before the last Lok Sabha elections, a deceased party patriarch appeared in a video. Two Bollywood actors seemed to criticize the Prime Minister. These deepfakes are potent tools for political campaigns.
In the 60 days before the last general elections, 5 crore AI-generated calls went to voters. These used synthetic voices of political leaders. Meta approved 14 AI-generated ads during those elections. The ads called for violence against Muslims and an opposition leader.
The Election Commission of India should set guardrails. It must regulate such content dissemination. However, recent implementations suggest challenges. The writer is an MP and leader of the All India Trinamool Congress Parliamentary Party.
