Bangladesh Grapples with Misinformation Epidemic: A Call for Collaborative Action
Dhaka, Bangladesh – In a nation striving for progress and development, Bangladesh finds itself facing a formidable challenge: the pervasive spread of misinformation and disinformation. This insidious threat undermines inclusive development, erodes institutional trust, and jeopardizes social cohesion. Policymakers, national experts, media figures, and development practitioners convened at a national dialogue, "Media in the Age of Misinformation and Disinformation: Challenges, Responsibilities, and the Path Forward for Development," to address this critical issue. The event, organized by the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB) and Oxfam in Bangladesh, served as a platform to dissect the detrimental impact of misleading information on public perception across various crucial domains.
The dialogue underscored the urgency of the situation, revealing how false narratives distort public understanding of critical issues such as climate change, gender rights, economic justice, disaster response, and the Rohingya crisis. These narratives, often politically motivated, economically driven, or algorithmically amplified, reshape public discourse and hinder evidence-based policymaking. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, emphasized the importance of truth as a cornerstone of a thriving society, urging a collective effort to strengthen institutions and prioritize public interest over political or financial gain. She called for transparency, accountability, and collective responsibility as essential ingredients for genuine progress.
Kamal Ahmed, Head of the Media Reform Commission, stressed the need for a multi-pronged approach, involving government, media, and tech platforms, to combat disinformation effectively. He highlighted the issue as a national priority requiring coordinated action and strong political will. Professor Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir of Dhaka University pointed out the strategic and often institutionally enabled nature of false narratives surrounding Bangladesh’s development. He emphasized the importance of addressing the political dimensions of disinformation, alongside the technical aspects, and reclaiming space for scientific and truthful debate.
The pervasive nature of misinformation underscores the need for a multifaceted response that not only preserves press freedom but also restores public trust in information sources. PIB Director General Faruk Wasif called for media reform focused on restoring credibility, truth, and public accountability, emphasizing the vital role of ethical journalism in countering the "information war" waged against the nation. He pointed to powerful global actors and allies of deposed rulers as orchestrators of this campaign. Ashish Damle, Country Director of Oxfam in Bangladesh, brought attention to the human cost of misinformation, particularly its impact on the most vulnerable members of society, urging collective action to protect individuals from the harmful consequences of false narratives.
The dialogue emphasized the importance of collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including media institutions, government bodies, academia, and development actors. This collaborative effort is crucial for building a more robust and truthful information ecosystem. In his keynote presentation, Mohammad Mamun or Rashid, Assistant Professor of Jahangirnagar University, illustrated the rapid spread of false content facilitated by media and digital platforms, highlighting the challenges posed by the speed and reach of online information dissemination.
The distinguished panel, which also included Mohammad Azaz, Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC); Fahim Ahmed, CEO of Jamuna TV; and Dr. Din M Sumon Rahman, Professor and Dean, School of Social Science, ULAB, provided a comprehensive view of the misinformation landscape. The dialogue served as a critical first step in fostering a national conversation on addressing the challenges posed by misinformation and disinformation, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action to protect the integrity of information and ensure a future where facts inform policy and public interest takes precedence. The participants called for increased media literacy among citizens, strengthening fact-checking mechanisms, and holding social media platforms accountable for the content they host. The dialogue highlighted the critical role of ethical journalism and responsible media consumption in preserving a healthy democracy and fostering sustainable development. The call to action resonates with the understanding that combating misinformation is not merely a technical issue but a societal imperative, demanding a collective commitment to truth, transparency, and accountability. The future of Bangladesh’s development hinges on the success of this collaborative endeavor.
