[🇧🇩] Disinformation/Misinformation about Bangladesh in National/International Media

Saif · Mar 2, 2025

CA press wing debunks Indian newspaper’s report about Bangladesh

Indian newspaper The Tribune report headlined ‘ISI, Bangladesh operatives teaming up to revive ULFA camps near Assam border’ was a fake one, the Chief Adviser's Press Wing has said. The Tribune newspaper in New Delhi has run the front-page story claiming that ISI and Bangladesh operati

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

CA press wing debunks Indian newspaper’s report about Bangladesh
BSS
Published :
Mar 02, 2025 19:12
Updated :
Mar 02, 2025 19:12

Indian newspaper The Tribune report headlined ‘ISI, Bangladesh operatives teaming up to revive ULFA camps near Assam border’ was a fake one, the Chief Adviser's Press Wing has said.

The Tribune newspaper in New Delhi has run the front-page story claiming that ISI and Bangladesh operatives are teaming up to revive ULFA camps.

"As with other stories in this genre that has exploded since Bangladeshis overthrew the corrupt and brutal regime of Sheikh Hasina, no evidence is provided and no named sources endorsed its plotline," the press wing said in a statement posted on its verified Facebook page - CA Press Wing Facts - on Saturday.

In fact, it said, the only source who is quoted, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, says he doesn't believe the leader of the ULFA, Paresh Baruah, has any desire to resume his previous militant activities.

"The Tribune story claims 'Intelligence agencies suspect that Baruah may soon be released', when in fact he is already at large and believed to be living in China," the statement read.

The Tribune report also claims that the newspaper has intercepted communications in Bangladesh 'in Arabic, Urdu and Bengali'.

This story is pure fiction and will remain 'exclusive' to the Tribune because it exists only in the imaginations of its staff, according to the statement.

Saif · Mar 3, 2025

Step up efforts to curb misinformation

February saw at least 268 instances of fake news circulation online

www.thedailystar.net

Step up efforts to curb misinformation
February saw at least 268 instances of fake news circulation online

VISUAL: STAR

We're concerned about the continued prevalence of misinformation in post-uprising Bangladesh, with Rumor Scanner identifying 268 instances of fake news circulating online in February. Of them, 127—or 47 percent of the total—were political in nature, while 73 were related to national issues, 10 to international affairs, and 18 to religion. Naturally, the interim government was a frequent target, with 16 misinformation cases about it, mostly negative, along with 16 cases against the chief adviser and several others targeting other advisers. Meanwhile, BNP and its leaders, including Khaleda Zia and Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, each faced six negative cases. Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir faced 13 and 16 cases respectively, mostly negative. The Student Against Discrimination platform also faced 10 cases, while its leaders were also targeted.

In contrast to these mostly negative portrayals, misinformation involving Awami League, Chhatra League, and Sheikh Hasina greatly favoured them, suggesting a campaign by the fallen regime to improve its image. Clearly, fake news is being manufactured to manipulate public opinion with often devastating consequences. Worryingly still, mainstream media outlets themselves disseminated 10 pieces of fake news, while there were 57 cases of media impersonation using doctored logos and graphics, which is quite concerning. The role of Indian mainstream and social media in propagating false narratives has been equally troubling. For example, nine instances of misinformation about Bangladesh were found in Indian media. Rumor Scanner also identified 20 instances of communal misinformation, with half of them traced back to Indian social media accounts.

These trends at a time of continued political upheavals do not augur well for Bangladesh. The sheer volume of misinformation that spread in the months after the ouster of the Awami League government has been truly alarming. In January, we expressed our concern when news emerged that fact-checking organisations had debunked 58 percent more content in 2024 compared to the previous year. According to Dismislab's annual roundup, fact-checkers identified and verified over 3,000 unique pieces of false or misleading information last year, fuelling a wave of chaos the effects of which are still being felt.

These trends at a time of continued political upheavals do not augur well for Bangladesh. The sheer volume of misinformation that spread in the months after the ouster of the Awami League government has been truly alarming. In January, we expressed our concern when news emerged that fact-checking organisations had debunked 58 percent more content in 2024 compared to the previous year. According to Dismislab's annual roundup, fact-checkers identified and verified over 3,000 unique pieces of false or misleading information last year, fuelling a wave of chaos the effects of which are still being felt. While everyone agrees that curbing misinformation has become more urgent than ever before, no one seems to know how to go about it in a manner that eliminates the threat without infringing on people's rights.

The dangers of misinformation should be clear to us by now—it is fuelling confusion, division, and instability. Therefore, we must adopt a multi-pronged approach to address it. There should be more digital literacy campaigns to help users identify fake news, while social media platforms should take stronger action against disinformation campaigns. Fact-checking organisations should also receive greater institutional support to enhance their reach and impact. Meanwhile, mainstream media platforms must step up efforts to debunk false narratives and increase access to proper information.

Saif · Mar 15, 2025

Guterres voiced concern over disinformation targeting Bangladesh

Says Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain at a joint media briefing with Guterres at a city hotel

www.thedailystar.net

Guterres voiced concern over disinformation targeting Bangladesh
Says Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain at a joint media briefing with Guterres at a city hotel

Photo: Courtesy/UNB

Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain today said UN Secretary-General António Guterres "expressed concern" over the disinformation targeted against Bangladesh.

"His visit would more than counterweigh the misinformation and disinformation campaign and the attempts to destabilise Bangladesh," he told reporters at a joint media briefing with Guterres at a city hotel.

Hossain said Guterres' assurance of support would help Bangladesh in its successful reform process and transition to democracy in line with the common aspiration of the people of Bangladesh.

The UN chief appreciated the complexities of the reform process for a "free and fair election" and a "real transformation" of the country, said the foreign adviser.

Guterres promised the UN's total commitment to the reform process under the leadership of Chief Adviser Yunus and said he will do whatever he can do to support the endeavours of the interim government, and stand by Bangladesh and its people.

Guterres is now in Bangladesh as part of his "Ramadan Solidarity Visit" and is scheduled to leave Dhaka tomorrow morning.

The visit comes with the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh's membership in the United Nations.

"This marks a historical moment for both Bangladesh and the UN, as the secretary general himself is witnessing the formative stage of a new Bangladesh following the supreme sacrifices of the July-August mass uprising that aspired for a just, democratic, and inclusive society," Hossain said.

The foreign adviser said this visit is significantly meaningful for the government and for the future Bangladesh.

Saif · Mar 17, 2025

Govt reacts to Tulsi Gabbard's comments on Bangladesh

The statement is both misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, says CA's press wing

www.thedailystar.net

Govt reacts to Tulsi Gabbard's comments on Bangladesh

The interim government has expressed concern over the remarks made by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Bangladesh's situation.

The statement is both misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, said the chief adviser's press wing in a statement last night.

In an interview with NDTV World, Gabbard said, "The long-time unfortunate persecution, killing, and abuse of religious minorities—Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Catholics, and others—have been a major area of concern for the US government, President Trump and his administration.

"The talks are just beginning between President Trump's new cabinet coming in and the Government of Bangladesh but this continues to remain a central focus area of concern."

Then she remarked, "The threat of Islamist terrorists, and their overall effort, the global effort of all of these different groups, are rooted in the same ideology and objective — which is to rule or govern with an Islamist Caliphate.

"This obviously affects people of any other religion, other than the one that they find acceptable, and they chose to carry this out with terror and very violent ways and means."

She further said, "President Trump remains committed to identifying the ideology that drives Islamist terrorism, and working to defeat this ideology and their ability to exact that terror on people, the American people and others."

The interim government's statement issued by the CA's press wing said, "We note with deep concern and distress the remarks made by DNI Tulsi Gabbard, in which she alleged persecution and killing of religious minorities in Bangladesh and that the threat of Islamic terrorists in the country is rooted in the ideology and objective to rule and govern with an 'Islamist caliphate'.

"This statement is both misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, a nation whose traditional practice of Islam has been famously inclusive and peaceful and that has made remarkable strides in its fight against extremism and terrorism."

Gabbard's comments are not based on any evidence or specific allegations. They paint an entire nation with a broad and unjustified brush, it said.

"Bangladesh, like many countries around the world, has faced challenges of extremism, but it has continuously worked in partnership with the international community, including the US, to address these issues through law enforcement, social reforms, and other counterterrorism efforts.

"Groundlessly linking Bangladesh to the idea of an 'Islamist caliphate' undermines the hard work of countless Bangladeshis and their friends and partners around the world who are committed to peace, stability, and progress. Bangladesh strongly condemns any efforts to link the country to any form of 'Islamist caliphate'," the statement read.

"Political leaders and public figures should base their statements, especially about the most sensitive issues, on actual knowledge and take care not to reinforce harmful stereotypes, to fan fears and potentially even stoke sectarian tensions.

"In support of our shared global efforts to combat extremism and terrorism, the interim government of Bangladesh remains committed to engaging in constructive dialogue based on facts and on respect for the sovereignty and security of all nations," it added.

Saif · Mar 18, 2025

Tulsi Gabbard should've checked her facts before making sweeping comments

Such statements only reinforce stereotypes that misrepresent Bangladesh

www.thedailystar.net

Tulsi Gabbard should've checked her facts before making sweeping comments
Such statements only reinforce stereotypes that misrepresent Bangladesh

VISUAL: STAR

We are disappointed by US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard's remarks regarding the alleged persecution, killing, and abuse of minorities in Bangladesh. In an interview with India's NDTV, Gabbard suggested that this issue has been longstanding and that the "threat of Islamic terrorists" in the country is "rooted" in the "ideology and objective" to "rule and govern with an Islamist caliphate." When did all this happen, if at all? Under Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh was seen as India's best friend. Were we trying to establish an "Islamist caliphate" at that time? At a time when the interim government has been actively engaging with the new US administration, such a statement—unsupported by facts or substance—is deeply regrettable.

After years of authoritarian rule, Bangladesh has reembarked on the path to restoring democracy. It is true that, following the fall of the Awami League regime, some attacks against minorities did occur. However, most of these incidents took place when the country lacked a functioning law enforcement system in the immediate aftermath of the August 5 changeover. Moreover, many of the attacks were politically motivated rather than communally driven. Regardless, the interim government has categorically condemned all such incidents and initiated appropriate legal actions. It has even invited journalists from around the world to visit and witness the situation firsthand. Despite these efforts, segments of the Indian media and political class have repeatedly misrepresented Bangladesh—often with completely fabricated reports.

It is true that, following the fall of the Awami League regime, some attacks against minorities did occur. However, most of these incidents took place when the country lacked a functioning law enforcement system in the immediate aftermath of the August 5 changeover. Moreover, many of the attacks were politically motivated rather than communally driven. Regardless, the interim government has categorically condemned all such incidents and initiated appropriate legal actions. It has even invited journalists from around the world to visit and witness the situation firsthand.

We urge Tulsi Gabbard and other US government officials to independently examine all available evidence before making sweeping statements that unjustly link an entire country to global terrorism. Bangladesh has never been part of any global extremist movement. In fact, the only major instance of terrorism on its soil—the 2016 Holey Artisan attack—had Bangladesh as a victim rather than a perpetrator. Bangladesh has consistently been an ally in global counterterrorism efforts, including those led by the US, and remains committed to this cause. Given this reality, we hope that responsible officials, particularly in the US, will take care not to reinforce harmful stereotypes that misrepresent Bangladesh.

The people of Bangladesh have unequivocally expressed their desire for democracy by overthrowing the former authoritarian regime through great sacrifice. To ignore this and broadly suggest that Bangladeshis wish to establish an Islamist caliphate undermines their struggle and sacrifices. If anything, Bangladesh has been one of the least communalistic countries in the region, particularly compared to its neighbours. Our chief adviser, a Nobel laureate, has clearly stated that Bangladeshis of all backgrounds belong to the same "family."

Bangladesh seeks to build a stronger relationship with the US, one that requires deep mutual understanding. To achieve this, we urge the US administration to rely on firsthand information gathered through its local embassy rather than external sources. The US is also welcome to send its own journalists or fact-finding missions to assess the ground reality and engage directly with the Bangladeshi people.