By | Spotlight Media Observer
A dedicated section of The Spotlight that includes journalists and media experts who monitor, analyse, and report on media content, ensuring reporting standards and public accountability are upheld.
SRINAGAR – April 7, 2025: A vague and misleading Facebook post by the page Aapna Kashmir with fb ID. https://www.facebook.com/share/151gwA58dD/?mibextid=qi2Omg has triggered widespread confusion and panic on social media. The post, captioned “Gadhe ka gosht viral on social media” (Donkey’s meat goes viral on social media), lacks any context or factual clarity, leading many to wrongly assume the video was filmed in Kashmir.
Within just two hours of being posted, the video crossed over 200,000 views, highlighting the alarming speed at which misinformation can spread. The caption, devoid of any verification or explanation, reflects a serious lapse in media responsibility. The page admin’s failure to clarify the source of the video has contributed to the spread of disinformation — seemingly for the sake of engagement and views.
Spotlight Media’s Observation Unit conducted a detailed analysis of the video and confirmed that it was not filmed in Kashmir or anywhere in India. Instead, the language spoken in the clip closely resembles those commonly used in Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan — regions where the consumption of horse or donkey meat is culturally accepted and not taboo.
This incident once again highlights the growing problem of misinformation in Kashmir, largely fueled by unregulated and unprofessional Facebook pages. In a related development, a local court has recently summoned the admins of another such Facebook page — referred to as “Facebook Hawkers” — over a separate viral video, raising serious concerns about the erosion of journalistic standards in the region. The case was reported by Kashmir News Trust (KNT).
The Spotlight urges viewers to critically assess content, demand context, and avoid falling prey to social media sensationalism.
