FAKE NEWS AND DISINFORMATION IN PAKISTAN: A FORENSIC LINGUISTICS INVESTIGATION

Abstract

The present study examines linguistic and discursive underpinnings of fake news and disinformation through a forensic linguistic perspective. The rapid rise of social media and digital news has enabled false and manipulated information to spread across the internet (and around the world) like never before, affecting the shared beliefs of people, the functioning of democracies, and the security of nations. Using forensic linguistic techniques, this study seeks to reveal preferential features related to lexical selection, syntactic reorganization, modality, and rhetorical patterns characteristic of disinformation campaigns in Pakistan. The analysis is based on a purposive sample of misinformation coverage and viral social media posts from 2018-2024. The findings indicate disinformation in the country generally uses emotive language, unclear sourcing, shock value and linguistic ambiguity to shape the reader’s attitude and divide society. Further, the paper reflects on the sociopolitical implications of disinformation, and suggests potential responses in terms of media literacy and policy reforms. This study adds to increasing base of forensic linguistic investigation in South Asia and underscores the importance of a multi-dimensional preventive strategy as far as the “fake news” or disinformation is concerned.