Bangladesh Fact-Checkers Accuse Indian Media of Spreading Disinformation Amid Diplomatic Tensions
Dhaka, Bangladesh – A recent report by Dhaka-based fact-checking organization Rumor Scanner has ignited a controversy by accusing Indian media outlets and social media users of disseminating false information about Bangladesh’s interim government and engaging in a campaign of disinformation. The report, titled "India’s disinformation flood on Bangladesh: What’s actually happening?", alleges that a significant portion of the misinformation originated from India, exacerbating existing diplomatic tensions between the two nations. The allegations come at a sensitive time, with relations already strained following disagreements on various issues. Rumor Scanner’s report claims that the disinformation campaign specifically targeted the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate and respected figure in Bangladesh.
The Rumor Scanner investigation focused on social media activity between August 5th and 13th, a period marked by attacks against minority communities in Bangladesh following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. The report identified 50 accounts on X (formerly Twitter) that allegedly shared misleading images, videos, and narratives, often framing the events through a communal lens. These posts garnered over 15.4 million views, amplifying their reach significantly through shares and reposts on other platforms. The fact-checking organization contends that this disinformation campaign achieved a level of exposure 10 to 12 times greater than organic reach on other accounts and media outlets during the same timeframe.
A startling revelation from the Rumor Scanner report is the alleged geographic origin of the disinformation. The organization claims that 72% of the accounts identified as spreading false information were located in India. This includes not only individual social media users but also, according to the report, several mainstream Indian media outlets. The widespread dissemination of these narratives, the report argues, extended beyond India’s borders, influencing public figures in other countries and contributing to a global misrepresentation of the situation in Bangladesh.
Rumor Scanner acknowledges that attacks against Hindu minorities did occur during this period but attributes them to "political affiliations or grievances" rather than a purely communal motive, as portrayed by some Indian media outlets. The report accuses Indian media of misrepresenting these incidents as widespread communal violence, thereby inflaming tensions and fostering a distorted perception of the events. This manipulation of narratives, Rumor Scanner argues, is part of a broader pattern of disinformation targeting Bangladesh.
The report also highlights specific instances of alleged misinformation spread by Indian media. These include false claims regarding the lifting of bans on extremist organizations in Bangladesh, as well as inaccurate reports about Professor Yunus’s health and whereabouts. The fact-checking organization points to these examples as evidence of a deliberate attempt to discredit the interim government and create instability. Further allegations include the misidentification of a man arrested in 2019 as a Hizbut Tahrir leader with a current government advisor, and the fabrication of a story about a Hindu woman being raped during a commemoration event.
Rumor Scanner also alleges a pattern of disinformation campaigns coinciding with Durga Puja, a major Hindu festival. They claim that misinformation and rumors tend to escalate during this period, and this year was no exception, with misleading reports emerging from Indian media outlets. One such instance involved a false report about a Pakistani ship carrying weapons and ammunition arriving at the Chittagong port, a narrative that Rumor Scanner debunked as fabrication. These recurring instances of misinformation, the organization argues, contribute to a climate of distrust and exacerbate existing tensions between the two countries. The report’s findings have raised concerns about the role of media in shaping public perception and the potential for misinformation to escalate diplomatic tensions. As Bangladesh navigates this sensitive political period, the issue of disinformation continues to be a significant challenge.