The sheer volume of misinformation and fake news that spread in the months following the ouster of the Awami League government on August 5 is truly alarming. While disinformation has long posed a threat to democracy in Bangladesh, its surge in recent months has been particularly notable, exacerbating communal tensions and straining Bangladesh-India ties. Fact-checking organisations reportedly debunked 58 percent more content in 2024 compared to the previous year. Dismislab's annual roundup states that fact-checkers identified and verified over 3,000 unique pieces of false or misleading information that went viral last year, fuelling a wave of chaos in the wake of the political transition.

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Why is political disinformation on the rise?

According to its report, throughout 2024, certain Indian elements and pro-Awami League social media users played a significant role in this. Disinformation related to communal tensions and religious hatred, which had been on the rise since August, escalated further in November and December. False reports regarding attacks on minorities and communal unrest caused panic and division within the country. There was also misinformation about Indian soldiers withdrawing from Bangladesh, as well as fabricated claims by Indian mainstream media alleging that Pakistani troops were patrolling inside Bangladesh.

On November 5, an anti-ISKCON Facebook post led to violent clashes in Chattogram, injuring seven police officers and five army personnel. Later, on November 26, the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges triggered a wave of misinformation, including fabricated quotes falsely attributed to him. Fake photocards, appearing to be from mainstream media outlets, further spread confusion. Similarly, misinformation surrounding the three student leaders who took on advisory roles in the interim government was widely circulated on social media.

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Address the misuse of social media and AI

This barrage of falsehoods has not only fuelled internal discord but also strained our relations with India, with tensions persisting at the borders and repeated incidents occurring this month. However, it is reassuring that a meeting between the BGB and BSF has resulted in an agreement to resolve disputes through dialogue and to counter the spread of rumours.

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We must respond firmly to the anti-Bangladesh campaign in India

Misinformation and disinformation pose a serious threat to our democratic journey. Social media platforms, in particular, have become breeding grounds for false narratives and deliberate propaganda. It is, therefore, vital that we remain vigilant against fake news designed to harm national unity at this crucial point in our history. The government must establish a robust mechanism to swiftly debunk fake news, especially content that could endanger national security or public order. The mainstream media also bears a major responsibility in this fight. News organisations must strengthen their fact-checking initiatives and adopt modern verification tools to combat misinformation. Only through collaborative measures can we mitigate the damage caused by disinformation.