Bangladesh Grapples with Surge in Misinformation and Disinformation, CGS Report Reveals
Dhaka, Bangladesh – A new report released by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) paints a concerning picture of the misinformation landscape in Bangladesh. The June 2025 report, titled “Misinformation and Disinformation,” documents a staggering 324 verified cases of fabricated or misleading information circulating within the country. This surge in deceptive content underscores the growing threat to public discourse and democratic processes in Bangladesh, particularly amidst a climate of political uncertainty.
The report’s findings reveal a stark dominance of politically motivated misinformation, with a staggering 253 out of 324 documented cases falling into this category. This prevalence of politically charged falsehoods points to deliberate attempts to manipulate public opinion and potentially influence political outcomes. One striking example cited in the report involves a doctored image and accompanying false headline claiming that a prominent political figure, Tarique Rahman, would refuse to engage with the interim government. This fabricated narrative, debunked by Rumor Scanner, highlights the sophisticated tactics employed in spreading disinformation and the potential for such content to inflame political tensions. While political misinformation dominated the landscape, other categories were also observed, including entertainment (24 cases), religious (19 cases), online hoaxes (18 cases), diplomatic (5 cases), economic (4 cases), and environmental (1 case). This thematic distribution underscores the pervasive nature of misinformation, infiltrating various aspects of public life beyond the political arena.
The CGS report further identifies the primary targets of these misinformation campaigns. Political figures, both domestic and international, bore the brunt of these attacks, accounting for 124 of the documented cases. This targeted dissemination of false information aimed at discrediting or manipulating the public perception of political leaders raises serious concerns about the integrity of the political process. Other targets included law enforcement agencies (48 cases), celebrities (25 cases), religious institutions and figures (17 cases), political parties (13 cases), public institutions (16 cases), the interim government (6 cases), and private institutions (2 cases). A significant portion of the documented incidents, 73 cases, were classified as “unspecified,” indicating that the misinformation caused general confusion and anxiety without a clearly identifiable victim. This underscores the insidious nature of misinformation, capable of eroding public trust and fostering a climate of uncertainty even without targeting specific individuals or institutions.
Social media platforms emerged as the primary conduit for the spread of disinformation. A staggering 316 out of the 324 documented cases originated on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, Threads, and X (formerly Twitter). This reliance on social media for disseminating false information highlights the urgent need for proactive regulation and robust media literacy initiatives to combat the spread of harmful content. The ease with which misinformation can be created, shared, and amplified across these platforms poses a significant challenge to maintaining a well-informed citizenry and safeguarding democratic values.
The CGS, a leading research organization dedicated to good governance, has been actively monitoring misinformation and disinformation trends since November 2024. The organization publishes monthly reports meticulously documenting instances of false or misleading information and maintains a comprehensive national misinformation database accessible at www.factcheckinghub.com. This ongoing monitoring effort provides valuable insights into the evolving nature of misinformation campaigns and serves as a crucial resource for researchers, journalists, and the public.
The CGS report concludes with a strong call to action, urging Bangladesh to prioritize digital governance, foster cross-platform collaboration, and invest in comprehensive media literacy programs. The report emphasizes the critical need for a multi-pronged approach involving government agencies, technology companies, and civil society organizations to effectively combat the pervasive threat of misinformation. Without decisive interventions at these various levels, the report warns, the unchecked flow of false information will continue to erode public trust, damage reputations, and weaken the foundations of democratic resilience. The CGS stresses the urgency of implementing these recommendations to safeguard the integrity of public discourse and protect the democratic fabric of Bangladesh. This call to action highlights the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in tackling this complex challenge and fostering a more informed and resilient society.