[🇧🇩] Disinformation/Misinformation about Bangladesh in Local/Indian Media

[Lulldapull]

@Mainerik…..our war with the Afghanis is seriously hotting up. There’s a whole lotta killing on the KP/ Afghani borders and we are losing our soldiers.

Yesterday our AF bombed multiple targets in Afghanistan to tell the Taliban that we are willing to respond with force.

Afghanistan is an enemy of Pakistan from day one.

Apologies for going off topic.

 

[Saif]

A message from one neighbour to another

Indians must hold their media accountable, and they must treat their neighbours as they want to be treated themselves.

www.thedailystar.net

A message from one neighbour to another

FILE VISUAL: ANWAR SOHEL

The disinformation campaign and lies hurled by certain quarters in India after the fall of Sheikh Hasina's brutal fascist regime are deplorable, and seem to be nothing short of an attempt to destabilise the communal harmony in Bangladesh. Bangladesh believes in and respects the sovereignty of every nation, and we do not meddle in the internal affairs or try to destabilise the peace and harmony of our neighbours.

India has been on an interesting journey. The promises made by the BJP government regarding unemployment and price rises during the 2014 campaign have all but evaporated. India's unemployment rate is higher than the unemployment rate of both Bangladesh and Pakistan. Indian consumers, being crushed under steep price rises, have yet to see "Ache Din."

Amid this bleak economic scenario, Manipur is burning, millions of lives could be destroyed on the pretext of NRC in Assam, Dalits face violence and discrimination all over the country, and farmers die by suicide and their protests for a fair deal continues to go unheard. In addition, the extensive violence against women in India (the incident at R G Kar Medical College in Kolkata being a recent example) is an affront to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" campaign.

Muslims in India have been lynched for allegedly eating beef, rapists were garlanded after raping a pregnant Muslim woman, and plans to demolish at least 11 mosques were awaiting court verdicts in December, surprisingMeanwhile, as the killing of Bangladeshi citizens by India's Border Security Force (BSF) continues, blatant interference in our democratic process has taken place, clearly one-sided trade deals have been routine, and we still do not have our fair share of water in 53 years. It is, therefore, time to recalibrate how matters are handled between the two countries.

It's time for India to delve into introspection and self-examination. It cannot hide behind the false narrative of Hindu persecution in Bangladesh when crimes are being committed against its own minorities on Indian soil. No amount of deflection will work anymore.

This overbearing theme is conspicuous in India's relationships with its other neighbours, where anti-India sentiments have been growing. And now attempts to demonise Bangladesh are in full view for the world to see.

A Hindutva mob attacked our Assistant High Commission in Agartala in an abhorrent violation of the Geneva Convention. Yet, lies about Bangladeshi minorities continue to be circulated in an effort to dehumanise Bangladeshi Muslims. Calling one's neighbours "termites" and "infiltrators" only reflects one's own true disposition.

We guard mandirs while mosques are demolished in our neighbouring country for mandirs to be built on top of them. Lawyer Saiful Islam's father appealed for peace and calm even after enduring the brutal death of his son. That is the magnanimity we embody in our hearts as Bangladeshis. We have lived in communal harmony for hundreds of years, and we will continue to do so. Our Hindu brothers and sisters must speak up against the twisted lies being spewed from across the border. It is incumbent on every Bangladeshi citizen to push back against this attack on our national character and identity.

I urge all sensible Indians to please pay attention to the statistics. Bangladesh is India's largest trading partner in South Asia, with bilateral trade totalling $15.9 billion in FY2022-23. India exported goods worth $13.8 billion to Bangladesh during the same period. Our trade deficit with India is at $9.2 billion. Bangladeshi medical tourists contribute heavily to India's healthcare sector, comprising 54.3 percent (in 2020) of foreign medical tourists. Over 25 lakh Bangladeshi tourists visit India annually, accounting for more than 22 percent of foreign tourist arrivals. And Bangladesh is India's fourth-largest remittance provider.

The Indian government has given shelter to an autocratic mass murderer who ordered her own citizens to be butchered to try and remain in power. There is credible evidence to show that India interfered in how our elections played out. But that reality has changed as of August 5, 2024, and India must reconcile with its neighbour on equal terms and with equal respect.

Hasina is no Dalai Lama. India is under no obligation to provide for her. Providing shelter to a mass murderer like her sends a negative message to Bangladesh.

We urge certain segments of the Indian media—commonly being referred to nowadays as the Godi media—to stop spewing the toxic venom of disinformation and lies. We are a sovereign nation, and it is well within our rights to treat our citizens how we deem fit, within our rules of law. The trial of Chinmoy Krishna Das is no exception. Our internal affairs are not the business of our neighbouring countries, and they must be mindful of that fact.

Our citizens must remain calm, strategic, and vigilant against any attempt to project us as extremists and communal people. We must demonstrate restraint against every provocation and stay on the course of peaceful solutions to any problems within our borders. No hate based on religion should ever permeate our society.

If such propaganda against Bangladesh continues, UN special rapporteurs should be invited to visit both countries to assess the plight of their minorities.

India is on the wrong course. The people of India must wake up and take note of that fact. They should not fall victim to any group that tries to use the old "divide and rule" tactic based on religion and harmful narratives. Indians must hold their media accountable, and they must treat their neighbours as they want to be treated themselves.

Respect must always be mutual.

A.K. Flora is a non-resident Bangladeshi author and non-profit founder.​

 

[Saif]

Dr Yunus urges Meta to intensify efforts against misinformation, fake news

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday urged Meta to step up efforts to tackle misinformation and fake news being spread through Facebook in Bangladesh. Dr Yunus said "oligarchs and politicians" linked to the "toppled dictatorship of Sheikh Hasina" siphoned off tens of billions of dollars f

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Dr Yunus urges Meta to intensify efforts against misinformation, fake news
UNB
Published :
Jan 23, 2025 21:32
Updated :
Jan 23, 2025 21:38

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday urged Meta to step up efforts to tackle misinformation and fake news being spread through Facebook in Bangladesh.

Dr Yunus said "oligarchs and politicians" linked to the "toppled dictatorship of Sheikh Hasina" siphoned off tens of billions of dollars from Bangladesh during her 15 years of rule.

"These people are now spending their fortune to spread lies and misinformation about Bangladesh," the Chief Adviser told Sir Nick Clegg, the head of global affairs at Meta, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in the Swiss city.

Clegg is also a former deputy prime minister of the United Kingdom.

Probir Mehta, Director of Policy Planning of Meta; Lamiya Morshed, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator; and Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful Islam, Bangladesh's Permanent Representative in Geneva, also joined the meeting.

When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world.

Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented, virtual and mixed reality to help build the next evolution in social technology.

Clegg said Facebook would continue to do fact-checking and digital verification in Bangladesh as it is an important country, with its population the world's eighth largest, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB.

Meta's decision to stop fact-checking in the United States would not be applicable for Bangladesh and countries in Europe, he said.

He said Facebook would likely scale up its digital verification service in Bangladesh and would explore ways to do fact checking by users -- similar to the operation of Wikipedia.

During the half-an-hour-long meeting, Clegg also offered Meta's expertise in drafting a new cybersecurity laws. "We have a lot of experience here," he said.

The Meta global affairs chief said Llama, the company's recently launched open-sourced large language model AI, could help revolutionise health care, farming and education.

He hoped it would be popular among the users in Bangladesh.

Prof Yunus asked Meta to organise month-long training programs on Llama in Bangladesh. "It will open up new opportunities for Bangladesh's young people," he said.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh denounces Indian media's 'propaganda' on minority attacks

The Indian Express report titled "Minorities targeted, bid to rewrite history, take revenge for 1971 events" on Friday is misleading and is part of a well-organised propaganda campaign run by Indian media, said Chief Adviser's press wing. The newspaper projected the arrest of three Awami League MP

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh denounces Indian media's 'propaganda' on minority attacks
UNB
Published :
Jan 24, 2025 20:27
Updated :
Jan 24, 2025 20:44

The Indian Express report titled "Minorities targeted, bid to rewrite history, take revenge for 1971 events" on Friday is misleading and is part of a well-organised propaganda campaign run by Indian media, said Chief Adviser's press wing.

The newspaper projected the arrest of three Awami League MPs as attacks on minorities using the crime suspects' religious identity, CA's press wing said through its fact-checking Facebook page.

Referring to Awami League leaders, Indian Express reported that there were around 2,000 incidents of arson, looting, and burning involving the minorities (Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians) between August 5 and August 20, 2024, and "scattered attacks" were still taking place every day.

A police report on January 11 has revealed that most attacks on minorities since August 4, 2024, were politically motivated.

The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has claimed that there has been a total of 1,769 incidents of communal attacks and vandalism against minorities in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Police has collected a list of complaints prepared by the council.

The police have contacted the relevant individuals and authorities from minority communities who are alleged to have been targeted in this violence.

The police investigated every place, institution, and individual according to the Council's list.

Police investigations revealed that 1,234 incidents were politically motivated and 20 were communal.

At least 161 allegations were found to be false. Appropriate legal action was taken where the reported communal attacks took place.

Quoting a Hasina follower, Indian Express reported that there is an attempt to rewrite history and take revenge for the historic events of 1971, undermining the Interim Government's endeavour to correct historical facts distorted by the fallen dictator during her 16 years of misrule.​

 

[Saif]

CA Press Wing debunks Indian weekly's report

A news item on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus' meeting with president of Open Society Foundations Alex Soros, carried by Indian weekly The Organiser, is false, CA Press Wing said today.

en.prothomalo.com

CA Press Wing debunks Indian weekly's report
BSS
Dhaka
Published: 30 Jan 2025, 21: 48

A news item on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus' meeting with president of Open Society Foundations Alex Soros, carried by Indian weekly The Organiser, is false, CA Press Wing said today.

"The Organiser weekly in India has launched another salvo in the ongoing campaign of many Indian nationalists to discredit Bangladesh's interim government and to pave the way for India's proxy, Sheikh Hasina, to resume her despotic rule over Bangladesh," the press wing said in a statement posted on its verified Facebook account - CA Press Wing Facts.

The Organiser's latest canard is that the meeting between Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus and Alex Soros, president of the Open Society Foundations, constituted a challenge to US President Donald Trump.

The interim government has complete confidence that President Trump and his team will see through this transparent effort to create friction between Bangladesh and the United States.

According to the statement, the US Department of State and its embassy in Dhaka are well aware that Prof Yunus meets with a wide variety of people, from senior government officials to leaders in business and civil society organisations, including those who are critical of Bangladesh itself.

"We look forward to continuing to work with the United States and Bangladesh's other friends and allies to combat efforts to manipulate the Trump administration and to create divisions between countries through purely invented propaganda," the statement read.​

 

[Saif]

Chief Adviser’s press wing debunks Ananda Bazar Patrika’s report on Bangladesh army

Indian media is employing techniques of what has become known as hybrid warfare to support the country’s long-time proxy, Sheikh Hasina, and to attempt to discredit the people and institutions of Bangladesh that in July and August brought her despotic rule to an end, according to the statement

en.prothomalo.com

Chief Adviser’s press wing debunks Ananda Bazar Patrika’s report on Bangladesh army
BSS
Dhaka
Updated: 31 Jan 2025, 18: 50

Indian media outlet Ananda Bazar carried a report on Bangladesh Army Facebook account CA Press Wing Facts

The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing has said the news story of Indian media outlet, Ananda Bazar, carried targeting Bangladesh Army on Thursday is a false one.

“Its (Anandabazar) story about the Bangladesh army has no more basis in reality than a Bollywood romcom,” the press wing said in a statement posted on its verified Facebook account - CA Press Wing Facts - on Friday.

Indian media is employing techniques of what has become known as hybrid warfare to support the country’s long-time proxy, Sheikh Hasina, and to attempt to discredit the people and institutions of Bangladesh that in July and August brought her despotic rule to an end, according to the statement.

Indian media outlet Ananda Bazar Ptrika has taken down the report from its online portal. However, the report is available in its epaper on page 7 Screengrab of Ananda Bazar Patrika website taken around 5:07 pm on 31 January 2025

Hybrid war uses information operations - known as disinformation - to divide its targets both internally and from its natural friends and allies.

A disinformation operation typically begins with an entirely fabricated story, with no evidence and views attributed to unnamed people, planted in a friendly or pliable media outlet.

“If it is sufficiently juicy, the made-up story will be picked up by other media and gain apparent credibility as it spreads.

“Eventually, people who are interested in what’s going on in the world but too busy to delve into the details may come to believe the story that began as nothing more than a glimmer in a propagandist’s eye,” the statement read.

Heading of the report with a thumbnail photo is still available in the international section of Ananda Bazar Patrika. The screengrab is taken around 5:07 pm on 31 January 2025

The disinformation operation has succeeded entirely when people who believe the malign fiction are moved to act against the propagandist’s adversary.

In this case, the press wing said, the adversary is the people of Bangladesh and their desire to govern the affairs of their own sovereign country; the willing mouthpiece is Ananda Bazar.

It said Ananda Bazar’s story on the Bangladesh army has no basis in reality but is a Bollywood romcom.

“You must choose whether to practice journalism, based on collecting evidence of what is actually happening in the world, or to propagate malign fictions as part of a campaign to undermine the sovereignty and dignity of a friendly neighbour,” the statement said.​

 

[Saif]

CA Press Wing debunks Indian weekly's report

A news item on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus' meeting with president of Open Society Foundations Alex Soros, carried by Indian weekly The Organiser, is false, CA Press Wing said today.

en.prothomalo.com

CA Press Wing debunks Indian weekly's report
BSS
Dhaka
Published: 30 Jan 2025, 21: 48

A news item on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus' meeting with president of Open Society Foundations Alex Soros, carried by Indian weekly The Organiser, is false, CA Press Wing said today.

"The Organiser weekly in India has launched another salvo in the ongoing campaign of many Indian nationalists to discredit Bangladesh's interim government and to pave the way for India's proxy, Sheikh Hasina, to resume her despotic rule over Bangladesh," the press wing said in a statement posted on its verified Facebook account - CA Press Wing Facts.

The Organiser's latest canard is that the meeting between Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Mohammad Yunus and Alex Soros, president of the Open Society Foundations, constituted a challenge to US President Donald Trump.

The interim government has complete confidence that President Trump and his team will see through this transparent effort to create friction between Bangladesh and the United States.

According to the statement, the US Department of State and its embassy in Dhaka are well aware that Prof Yunus meets with a wide variety of people, from senior government officials to leaders in business and civil society organisations, including those who are critical of Bangladesh itself.

"We look forward to continuing to work with the United States and Bangladesh's other friends and allies to combat efforts to manipulate the Trump administration and to create divisions between countries through purely invented propaganda," the statement read.​

 

[Saif]

CA press wing terms Indian Express reports well-organised anti-Bangladesh propaganda

The Indian Express has published false reports as part of a well-organised propaganda campaign against Bangladesh and its interim government, Chief Adviser's Press Wing said.

en.prothomalo.com

CA press wing terms Indian Express reports well-organised anti-Bangladesh propaganda
BSS
Dhaka
Published: 26 Jan 2025, 17: 18

The Indian Express has published false reports as part of a well-organised propaganda campaign against Bangladesh and its interim government, Chief Adviser's Press Wing said.

"As part of a well-organised propaganda campaign, The Indian Express newspaper on Friday ran several stories based on the accounts of fugitive Bangladesh Awami League leaders who are all crime suspects and are accused of murders and massacres," it said.

The CA press wing said this in a statement posted on its verified Facebook page - CA Press Wing Facts -Saturday.

One such report is titled, "In hiding, Bangla Awami top brass connect with Hasina, wait for 'rule of law' to return" as it was full of false and misleading information without following the basic norms of journalism, the press wing claimed.

Quoting former Awami League MP Nahim Razzaq, The Indian Express reported that AL people are deprived of judicial rights and not getting bail.

Courts in Bangladesh are now functioning independently, which was evidenced by the fact that some of the former ministers of the Awami League regime, such as Saber Hossain Chowdhury and MA Mannan, were freed from jail as they were granted bail, the statement read.

The report quoted former AL MP and its Joint Secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim as saying that they would be back home if the rule of law is re-established.

The interim government noted with regret that the rule of law was completely missing in Bangladesh during the rule of the Awami League between 2009 and mid-2024, which resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings, at least 3,000 cases of enforced disappearances, unabated corruption, and plunder of tens of billions of public money.

A white paper prepared by an independent group of experts documented this mind-boggling corruption.

"The misrule of the Awami League government culminated in the killings of over a thousand peaceful young protesters during the student-led July uprising, which forced the dictator, Sheikh Hasina, and her cronies, including the former MP quoted in the report, to flee the country," according to the statement.

The interim government of Bangladesh re-established the rule of law to ensure justice for every citizen of the country, including the victims of Awami League's misrule.

Quoting former Hasina's former minister AKM Mozammel Haque, The Indian Express reported that no attempt has been made to recover the thousands of small arms that were looted from the police stations in August, 2024.

The police headquarters has reported that of the 5,750 arms looted from police stations on 5 August and the next two days, when there was no government in the country, at least 4,358 arms were recovered, and efforts are underway to recover the rest.

The Indian Express did not seek the comment of any authorities from Bangladesh, which signaled its intent to carry out a propaganda campaign against the interim government of Bangladesh and the people of the country, the statement read.​

 

[Saif]

Govt rejects claims of communal violence, calls for responsible reporting

The interim government has expressed concern over what it calls "misleading propaganda" portraying routine crimes-such as thefts, muggings, and personal disputes-as communal violence, said Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. Responding to a claim by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Ch

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Govt rejects claims of communal violence, calls for responsible reporting
UNB
Published :
Feb 03, 2025 21:59
Updated :
Feb 03, 2025 21:59

The interim government has expressed concern over what it calls "misleading propaganda" portraying routine crimes-such as thefts, muggings, and personal disputes-as communal violence, said Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam.

Responding to a claim by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council that 23 people were killed in communal violence over the past four and a half months, Alam rejected the allegations, stating that the government does not support any form of violence.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Monday, he urged all sides to be more responsible, warning that such misinformation could destabilise communal harmony in the country.

The Unity Council, in a press conference last Thursday, claimed that 23 people had been victims of communal violence since the mass uprising.

Taking the claim seriously, the Prof Muhammad Yunus-led government instructed the police to investigate each case and report on the causes and legal actions taken.

Police investigations confirmed details of 22 out of the 23 reported incidents. However, they found no evidence linking them to communal violence. According to police findings:

​

• Seven cases were related to theft and robbery.​
• Four stemmed from personal and family disputes.​
• Three involved rape, excessive drinking, or fights over sarcastic remarks.​
• Two were accidental deaths.​
• Two resulted from business enmity.​
• One stemmed from a conflict between locals.​
• One was a land dispute.​
• One case remains unspecified.​

Besides, one case involved a man who succumbed to injuries from an incident in January last year and died in December. The cause of one suicide and another death is yet to be determined, but neither is linked to communal violence.

So far, 47 people have been arrested in connection with these incidents, and investigations are ongoing. Of them, 17 have given confessional statements under Section 144, Alam said.​

 

[Saif]

AL spreading propaganda against Yunus, Indian media involved: Press secy

Chief adviser's press secretary Shafiqul Alam has said the Awami League, hich was ousted in the July mass uprising, is spreading propaganda against the interim government's chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. He also said that millions of dollars are being spent to portray Professor Yunus...

en.prothomalo.com

AL spreading propaganda against Yunus, Indian media involved: Press secy
Staff Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 08 Feb 2025, 16: 54

Chief adviser's press secretary Shafiqul Alam delivers a speech at a book launching event titled "Graffiti of Rebellion: The 24th Mass Uprising" at the National Press Club in the capital on Saturday afternoon. Dipu Malakar

Chief adviser's press secretary Shafiqul Alam has said Awami League, which was ousted in the July mass uprising, is spreading propaganda against the interim government's chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

He also said that millions of dollars are being spent to portray Professor Yunus as a "terrorist leader." Indian media is also involved in this campaign.

Shafiqul Alam made these remarks during a book launching event titled "Graffiti of Rebellion: The 24th People's Uprising" at the National Press Club in the capital on Saturday afternoon.

The book, written by GM Rajib Hossain, a journalist from the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), was launched in the presence of Shafiqul Alam as a special guest.

He said that the Awami League and the fallen autocrat, the "mother of corruption and enforced disappearances", are trying to challenge Bangladesh’s narrative. They claim that 3,000 police officers were killed, and they are portraying Professor Yunus as the leader of terrorists on their websites.

“This is a well-planned campaign of disinformation. Indian media is also involved. Hasina’s oligarchs are spending millions of dollars,” Shafiqul Alam remarked. He added that they are attempting to convince the world that what happened in Bangladesh was not a mass uprising, but a grand conspiracy.

The press secretary of the chief adviser alleged that attempts had been made to change Bangladesh’s history.

He pointed out that no research or writing on the 1974 famine had been published in the 15 years of the Awami League’s rule. He mentioned the mysterious death of Aftab Ahmed, who had taken pictures in Basanti, and no investigation had been conducted into it.

He noted that 30,000 people were killed by the Rakkhi Bahini (Auxiliary Force). He accused the government of trying to erase history and impose a new one, using the weapon of historical distortion to suppress people.

Shafiqul Alam also mentioned his family experience, saying that his brother had to stand in line in front of a ration shop for days and nights.

People would come to their house asking for rice starch, and he himself had eaten rice starch. Yet, for the past 15 and a half years, it has been claimed that Sheikh Mujib’s rule was glorious.

He stated that Sheikh Hasina and her people have laundered $234 billion from Bangladesh, and more than 3,000 people have been forcibly disappeared. He also mentioned that in July and August, 2,000 people were killed. During Hasina's tenure, there were the Shapla Chattar killings and horrific murders following the verdict of Maulana Delwar Hossain Sayedee.

Shafiqul Alam noted that Professor Yunus had called for calm and said, “Our job is to highlight the horrors of the last 15 years through research. We will hold seminars at every campus, and we will write on every wall the injustices that have been committed so that the fallen autocrats and their associates do not return to Bangladesh. This is something we must do.”

He further stated, “Those who think that the revolution happened in the 21 days of July-August, they are mistaken. The fight had been going on for 15 years before that. We will need to struggle for another 15 years. We will pause for a moment, but they will try to rise again. We must ensure that does not happen.”

The chief guest at the event was BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The event was chaired by Hassan Hafiz, the president of the National Press Club. Journalists Kader Gani Chowdhury, Syed Abdal Ahmed, and others also spoke at the event.​

 

[Bilal9]

AL spreading propaganda against Yunus, Indian media involved: Press secy

Chief adviser's press secretary Shafiqul Alam has said the Awami League, hich was ousted in the July mass uprising, is spreading propaganda against the interim government's chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. He also said that millions of dollars are being spent to portray Professor Yunus...

en.prothomalo.com

AL spreading propaganda against Yunus, Indian media involved: Press secy
Staff Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 08 Feb 2025, 16: 54

View attachment 14211

Chief adviser's press secretary Shafiqul Alam delivers a speech at a book launching event titled "Graffiti of Rebellion: The 24th Mass Uprising" at the National Press Club in the capital on Saturday afternoon. Dipu Malakar

Chief adviser's press secretary Shafiqul Alam has said Awami League, which was ousted in the July mass uprising, is spreading propaganda against the interim government's chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

He also said that millions of dollars are being spent to portray Professor Yunus as a "terrorist leader." Indian media is also involved in this campaign.

Shafiqul Alam made these remarks during a book launching event titled "Graffiti of Rebellion: The 24th People's Uprising" at the National Press Club in the capital on Saturday afternoon.

The book, written by GM Rajib Hossain, a journalist from the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), was launched in the presence of Shafiqul Alam as a special guest.

He said that the Awami League and the fallen autocrat, the "mother of corruption and enforced disappearances", are trying to challenge Bangladesh’s narrative. They claim that 3,000 police officers were killed, and they are portraying Professor Yunus as the leader of terrorists on their websites.

“This is a well-planned campaign of disinformation. Indian media is also involved. Hasina’s oligarchs are spending millions of dollars,” Shafiqul Alam remarked. He added that they are attempting to convince the world that what happened in Bangladesh was not a mass uprising, but a grand conspiracy.

The press secretary of the chief adviser alleged that attempts had been made to change Bangladesh’s history.

He pointed out that no research or writing on the 1974 famine had been published in the 15 years of the Awami League’s rule. He mentioned the mysterious death of Aftab Ahmed, who had taken pictures in Basanti, and no investigation had been conducted into it.

He noted that 30,000 people were killed by the Rakkhi Bahini (Auxiliary Force). He accused the government of trying to erase history and impose a new one, using the weapon of historical distortion to suppress people.

Shafiqul Alam also mentioned his family experience, saying that his brother had to stand in line in front of a ration shop for days and nights.

People would come to their house asking for rice starch, and he himself had eaten rice starch. Yet, for the past 15 and a half years, it has been claimed that Sheikh Mujib’s rule was glorious.

He stated that Sheikh Hasina and her people have laundered $234 billion from Bangladesh, and more than 3,000 people have been forcibly disappeared. He also mentioned that in July and August, 2,000 people were killed. During Hasina's tenure, there were the Shapla Chattar killings and horrific murders following the verdict of Maulana Delwar Hossain Sayedee.

Shafiqul Alam noted that Professor Yunus had called for calm and said, “Our job is to highlight the horrors of the last 15 years through research. We will hold seminars at every campus, and we will write on every wall the injustices that have been committed so that the fallen autocrats and their associates do not return to Bangladesh. This is something we must do.”

He further stated, “Those who think that the revolution happened in the 21 days of July-August, they are mistaken. The fight had been going on for 15 years before that. We will need to struggle for another 15 years. We will pause for a moment, but they will try to rise again. We must ensure that does not happen.”

The chief guest at the event was BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. The event was chaired by Hassan Hafiz, the president of the National Press Club. Journalists Kader Gani Chowdhury, Syed Abdal Ahmed, and others also spoke at the event.​

When are Hindutvas going to realize that it is time to move past the stupid "betting-on-Hasina-the-wrong- horse" policy? That policy fell flat on its face on August 2024, despite hundreds of RAW personnel and Indian commandos deployed in Dhaka.

I was amazed when I saw footage of Indian military people in police fatigues escaping to IAF evacuating aircraft on the Dhaka Airport Tarmac a few hours before Hasina escaped. Game over and time to admit the folly.

Now rules will be re-written and based on rules that Bangladesh dictates, otherwise close but no cigar....

 

[Saif]

India's media misinformation nexus & Bangladesh

The modern media have often been referred to as a double-edged sword-a force for empowerment and information but at the same time a tool for manipulation and misinformation. Within this scenario, in South Asia, India’s media industry is outstanding not only for its scale and dynamism but also

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

India's media misinformation nexus & Bangladesh
Serajul I Bhuiyan
Published :
Feb 10, 2025 21:31
Updated :
Feb 10, 2025 21:31

The modern media have often been referred to as a double-edged sword-a force for empowerment and information but at the same time a tool for manipulation and misinformation. Within this scenario, in South Asia, India’s media industry is outstanding not only for its scale and dynamism but also for its controversial role in disseminating disinformation, particularly about neighbouring Bangladesh. As Nobel laureate Amartya Sen once observed, “Information is the cornerstone of democracy, but misinformation is its poison.”

Recent Cases of Misinformation Targeting Bangladesh: Exaggerated Narratives of Hindu Persecution. Following political turmoil in Bangladesh, a number of Indian media published a slew of unsubstantiated news reports on the atrocities being committed on Hindus in Bangladesh. The report was full of fabricated numbers and incidents. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari told the house that more than 10 million Hindus were running away from Bangladesh to India due to “Islamic State”. Fact-checkers refuted such reports as nothing but false propaganda, while there was no proof of mass exodus of Hindus from Bangladesh.

If these hyperbolic declarations were not enough, Indian media even went on to accuse “well-known” Bangladeshi leaders, including Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus and his cohorts, of complicity in anti-Hindu activities—an accusation supported by no valid evidence. These reports painted Yunus’ administration as indifferent or even hostile to minority concerns, which was vehemently denied by his office. The defamation campaigns were meant to discredit him and align with the narratives of the political opponents of Awami League in Bangladesh. Media coverage also framed the student leaders and advisors associated with Yunus as puppets propagating agendas against India, reinforcing divisive narratives.

The selective amplification of these reports by Indian media had the effect of serving two purposes: domestically, the Hindu nationalist sentiments were fanned by portraying Bangladesh as a hostile space for Hindus; regionally, it was aimed at destabilising Bangladesh. In this manner, media created a dent in the bilateral relations and promoted communalism within India itself.

Misinformation on Border Clashes and Fencing. Indian media have played a significant role in spreading misinformation on border clashes and disputes over fencing between India and Bangladesh. Reports are repeatedly blowing minor incidents out of proportion, depicting them as deliberate provocations by Bangladeshi authorities or civilians. The headlines often portray Bangladesh as a constant aggressor with unverified claims of border violations and hostility. Incidents of cattle smuggling or local disputes are often blown out of proportion and reported as organized cross-border crimes, perpetrated by Bangladeshi nationals. The other oft-repeated storyline in Indian media is that border fencing acts as a guard against “illegal infiltration” and “terrorism”. Such misinformation undermines efforts to address border management collaboratively, escalating tensions between the two nations.

Manipulated Video Clips. Another layer of disinformation was spread through videos that were edited or cropped out of context to show Bangladeshi aggression or anti-Indian rhetoric. The fake videos went viral in showing people supposedly asking that Indian territory like Kolkata be taken over. A most popular clip showcased men shouting slogans in Bangladeshi villages; however, deeper investigation indicated that these were performance art specifically conducted to provoke anti-Bangladeshi sentiments.

Most of such videos were debunked by independent fact-checking and analysis websites, which showed that many were either digitally manipulated or taken out of context. Influential Indian media and social media platforms amplified these stories, increasing distrust between the two nations and encouraging communal tensions within India. Such manipulation does not merely threaten diplomatic relations but also emboldens people in a volatile environment where misinformation feeds xenophobia and hostility.

The Role of “Godi Media” in Misinformation: The term “Godi Media” has emerged as a scathing critique targeting sections of the Indian media that are perceived as over aligned with the government and its ideological priorities. Coined by journalist and satirist Ravish Kumar, the term directly translates to “lapdog media,” reflecting its supposed servility to state power. This critique points to the widely different experiences from India’s relatively revered media past, once celebrated for playing a pivotal role in its hard-won freedom struggle and relentlessly defending democracy.
Historically, Indian media was lauded for championing investigative journalism and serving as the voice of the marginalised. However, over the last couple of decades, significant shifts have occurred-particularly with the rise of corporate ownership and growing state influence over editorial decisions. It has been an evolution marked by increased sensationalism, polarisation, and political patronage at the cost of journalistic integrity. The “Godi Media” phenomenon is, therefore, representative-not only of a deviation from these ideals but also constitutive of broader systemic ills, including regulatory gaps and untrammeled media consolidation.

The modus operandi of “Godi Media” is multifaceted, employing various techniques to shape public perception and advance political narratives. These strategies are not only sophisticated but also deeply embedded in the media’s operational fabric. Some of the key mechanisms include: selective reporting, amplifying communal narratives, social media integration, delegitimiation of critics, sensationalism and fear-mongering
Promoting Awami Narratives. A recent example of selective narrative promotion was observed in an interview conducted by the Indian Express with former Bangladeshi Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal. The interview highlighted Awami League’s stance on regional stability and downplayed opposition viewpoints, aligning with narratives favourable to India’s current government. Critics argue that such interviews often lack balance, failing to represent a comprehensive view of the political situation in Bangladesh. This selective reporting fosters distrust and complicates regional dynamics.

A Multi-Pronged Approach. These mechanisms reflect a deliberate effort to control public discourse and redirect attention from critical issues toward divisive narratives. Media analyst Pankaj Mishra aptly remarked, “The greatest threat to democracy is not overt censorship but the manipulation of information, where citizens are fed selective truths and outright lies in the guise of news.” Addressing this requires robust media literacy programs, independent regulatory frameworks, and a commitment to journalistic integrity. Only through such efforts can the public be empowered to discern truth from propaganda and foster a more informed, democratic society.

Propaganda Model: One critical method for understanding how mass media works in service to elite interests at the expense of journalistic integrity and accountability to the public has been the Propaganda Model, as suggested by Edward S. Herman and Noam Chomsky. This model postulates that media content is filtered through five key mechanisms: ownership, advertising, sourcing, flak, and anti-communism or ideological control. Each of these filters curbs the narratives that come out to the public and gives a systematic bias in favour of the points of view of powerful stakeholders.

In the Indian context, corporate-owned media houses too often align with government-sponsored narratives, mostly because of the financial dependencies of the media group and regulatory considerations. Heavy consolidation of ownership in politically affiliated entities further cements this alignment. As Noam Chomsky famously observed, “Control of thought is more important for governments that are free and popular than for despotic and military states.” His observation finds perfect resonance in India, with media increasingly playing the role of carrying state-sponsored propaganda and silencing critical perspectives or dissent.

In fact, the Propaganda Model finds relevance in India through selective amplification: pro-government policies are promoted-for instance, CAA or demonetisation policies were completely branded as undisputed success stories, and criticism was either denied or condemned. The framing of neighbouring countries, like Bangladesh, as adversaries normally reflects these filters; it bolsters nationalist sentiments to divert attention from domestic issues. This dynamic, therefore, calls for urgent structural reforms that guarantee media independence and the primacy of public interest over the agendas of elites.

Agenda-Setting Theory: This is the Agenda-Setting Theory by Maxwell McCombs and Donald Shaw, which researched how media controls public discourse at which point something was an issue and where it was irrelevant. “The media doesn’t tell us what to think,” as McCombs said, “but it tells us what to think about.” In the context of India, this influence seems overtly within a strategic prioritising of divisive narratives, more so as a political order.

Indian media’s focus on contentious issues like cross-border migration, communal violence, or border disputes with Bangladesh exemplifies the agenda-setting process. By giving disproportionate attention to these topics, media outlets shape public perceptions, framing Bangladesh as a perpetual threat to Indian sovereignty and communal harmony. For example, exaggerated claims of “infiltration” from Bangladesh are routinely highlighted, creating a sense of urgency and fear, despite evidence indicating that such narratives are often overstated.

This agenda setting bias extends to international relations, where selective reporting shapes diplomatic discourse. This selective focus has not only distorted public understanding but also legitimised divisive policies and undermined regional stability.
Countering this trend, the essentials are media literacy and plurality in newsrooms. The expansion of the media agenda to include constructive and balanced reporting will facilitate India moving closer to an informed and cohesive society.

Impact on India-Bangladesh Relations: Erosion of Trust. Misinformation has indeed dissolved trust between India and Bangladesh, fostered over a long period through diplomatic and cultural interactions. Sensationalist reporting transforms nuanced bilateral issues into either communal or political binaries, thereby building a narrative of division, not cooperation. For example, stories exaggerating incidents of cross-border infiltration or portraying Bangladesh as a haven for anti-Indian elements have fuelled suspicion on both sides. This type of reporting distorts the facts and can generate ill-will, especially when one country is singled out in narratives for blame disproportionately.

More than this, the non-stop framing of Bangladesh as a source of regional instability-either as a source of illegal migration or a threat to India’s border security-has alienated large sections of the Bangladeshi public. Consequences of this are that constructive dialogue or problem-solving is unlikely with eroding trust, leaving festering unresolved issues in its wake.

Regional Instability. Disinformation campaigns have increased regional instability by fanning nationalism and antagonism between India and Bangladesh. Narratives that some media continue to amplify focus on conflicts and grievances, often at the expense of stories about cooperation and mutual benefit. These also extend to hamper efforts at addressing other transboundary issues, such as water sharing from the Teesta River or cross-border migration flows. By depicting such issues as zero-sum conflicts rather than opportunities to bargain over, misinformation diminishes the prospects for diplomatic solutions. The sensationalized narratives have broader ramifications: for one thing, greater communal tensions in India itself, as they are often catering to divisive ideologies.

As Noble Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus once said, “Regional harmony cannot flourish in an environment polluted with lies. Respect for one another and honest dialogue are the bedrock of development.” Reducing the destabilizing potential of this disinformation calls for underlining transparency, open dialogue, and actually to belie all those misguiding narratives that delay regional stability with positivity from both countries.

Way Forward: Media Accountability. The media in India will have to regain credibility through transparency and accountability as basic tenets. It would require regulatory mechanisms that are non-partisan and do not fall prey to the interests of political and corporate master minds. Fact-checking initiatives like Alt News and BoomLive need more support from civil society and international organizations if they are ever going to win the battle against the proliferation of fake news. As Dr. P. Sainath, one of the more prominent media scholars, echoes, “The media have to be the watchdog of democracy, not the lapdog of power.” For that to happen, there needs to be a promotion of ethical journalism over sensationalism for profit. An independent media council would be a damper on biased reporting and make them accountable for spreading misinformation.

Diplomatic Engagement. Open communications between both countries would, therefore, enable India and Bangladesh to discuss core causes and consequences of disinformation campaigns. There is a need for setting up dedicated bilateral committees on media ethics and regional stability as an icebreaker for constructive dialogue. These could comprise representatives from the government, academia, and independent media organizations that provide a balancing effect for well-rounded perspectives to ensure actionable outcomes. Regular exchanges among journalists, fact-checkers, and policymakers in the two countries can create mutual understanding and reduce the scope for misinterpretation and deliberately created misinformation.

Public Media Literacy. The only constructive, long-term solution for defeating the spread of misinformation empowers the public to critically assess information. Media literacy programs should be integrated into school curriculums, workplace training, and community outreach initiatives. Such programs can help people to identify credible news sources, spot biases, and understand manipulated content; such knowledge will make citizens resilient. The entrenchment of media literacy is not only an antidote against misinformation; rather, it allows citizens to meaningfully engage in democratic processes.

Conclusion: The media in India wields immense influence in shaping public discourse, both within its borders and across the region. However, its growing alignment with political and ideological agendas has increasingly turned it into a vehicle for misinformation, particularly in narratives concerning neighbouring Bangladesh. This transformation poses significant challenges to the integrity of journalism and the stability of regional relationships.

What is expected is for the Indian media to regain the lost credibility by going back to the very foundational role of being the watchdog of democracy. That would require putting in place strong ethical frameworks which prioritize truth and accountability over political convenience and sensationalism. This calls for comprehensive media reform, public education on the issue, and international cooperation.

The stakes are higher than the newsroom. Misinformation is not only a national issue but also affects India’s reputation as a regional leader.

Of course, it will be much more about restoring trust in the media, but essentially, the struggle against misinformation will safeguard democratic values that bind nations together. India’s media, government, and civil society must come together to reclaim the integrity of information so that public discourse is informed by fact and fairness, not propaganda and prejudice. In so doing, India will be able to restore trust at home and contribute toward peace in the region and stability in the world.

Dr Serajul I Bhuiyan is a professor and former chair, the department of Journalism and Mass Communications at Savannah State University, Savannah, Georgia, USA.​