Bangladesh Grapples with Surge in Online Misinformation: Fact-Checking Organization Reveals April Trends
Dhaka – Rumor Scanner, a leading fact-checking organization in Bangladesh, has released its April report, highlighting a concerning trend of escalating misinformation across the country’s digital landscape. The report reveals a staggering 296 documented instances of false or misleading information circulating online throughout the month, underscoring the persistent challenge of combating deceptive content in the digital age. This follows a similarly high number of 298 cases identified in March, indicating a sustained level of misinformation activity.
National issues dominated the misinformation landscape, comprising the largest share (34%) with 101 separate incidents. Political misinformation followed closely behind with 95 cases, highlighting the volatile nature of online discourse surrounding political affairs. Other notable categories included international issues (38 cases), religious matters (27 cases), and fraud-related misinformation (10 cases). The diversity of topics affected by misinformation indicates its pervasive reach across various facets of Bangladeshi society. Content formats varied, with text-based misinformation leading the way (138 cases), followed by videos (105 cases) and images (53 cases), demonstrating the adaptability of misinformation spreaders across different media.
The primary breeding ground for misinformation remained Facebook, accounting for a staggering 276 out of the total cases. YouTube emerged as the second most prevalent platform with 54 incidents, followed by Instagram (48 cases), X (formerly Twitter) (44 cases), TikTok (24 cases), and Threads (13 cases). The dominance of Facebook highlights the platform’s continued vulnerability to misinformation campaigns, despite ongoing efforts to combat the issue. The presence of misinformation across diverse platforms underscores the need for comprehensive strategies to address the problem across the digital ecosystem.
Worryingly, the report also identified 14 instances where misinformation originated from within Bangladesh’s own national media outlets. This raises concerns about journalistic standards and the potential for unintended amplification of false narratives through established media channels. The report further notes a continuing trend of misinformation emanating from Indian media outlets and social media accounts targeting Bangladesh, with four such instances documented in April. This cross-border flow of misinformation adds another layer of complexity to the challenge of combating fake news.
Political figures and parties were prominent targets of misinformation campaigns. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, was the most frequent target, facing 29 instances of misinformation, a majority of which portrayed him negatively. Other advisers, including Dr. Asif Nazrul, Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, AFM Khalid Hossain, Sk Bashiruddin, and Shafiqul Alam, were also subject to negative misinformation. Political parties also bore the brunt of disinformation campaigns, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) facing 13 incidents, all negative, and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami targeted in six negative instances. The Awami League, while also targeted, saw a more mixed portrayal, with 75% of the eight instances being positive.
The use of advanced technologies to create and disseminate misinformation is another concerning trend highlighted in the report. Rumor Scanner identified 19 instances of AI-generated fake content and three deepfake videos. This underscores the evolving nature of misinformation tactics and the increasing sophistication of tools available to spread deceptive content.
Several major events in April became focal points for misinformation campaigns. Protests against the ongoing situation in Gaza, Palestine, saw at least 38 related misinformation incidents. An attack on tourists in Kashmir and a Sunni congregation in Dhaka were also exploited, with 11 and five misinformation instances identified, respectively. The exploitation of real-world events to spread misinformation highlights the need for increased vigilance and critical evaluation of information circulating during times of heightened public interest.
The report also revealed a concerning trend of fabricated news content, with 62 instances where fake media names, logos, headlines, and photo cards were used to impersonate legitimate news outlets. Jamuna TV was the most frequently impersonated outlet (12 instances), followed by Prothom Alo and Janakantha (8 instances each). This tactic underscores the vulnerability of the public to misinformation, as fake news masquerading as credible sources can easily deceive unsuspecting audiences. The detailed analysis by Rumor Scanner provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of misinformation in Bangladesh. It highlights the need for continued efforts to promote media literacy, enhance fact-checking initiatives, and develop robust strategies to counter the spread of deceptive content across the digital sphere. The concerning trends identified in the report underscore the urgency of addressing the misinformation challenge to safeguard the integrity of public discourse and democratic processes in Bangladesh.