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

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Press wing bins claim of Bangladesh's plan to change its national flag

Chief Adviser's Press Wing has debunked the claim that Bangladesh's interim government is considering altering the country's national flag, terming it entirely false. "A false claim has been widely circulating across several websites and social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), alle

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Press wing bins claim of Bangladesh's plan to change its national flag

Published :
Jun 14, 2025 23:32
Updated :
Jun 14, 2025 23:32

Chief Adviser's Press Wing has debunked the claim that Bangladesh's interim government is considering altering the country's national flag, terming it entirely false.

"A false claim has been widely circulating across several websites and social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), alleging that Bangladesh's interim government is considering altering its national flag," the press wing said in a statement posted on its verified Facebook page - CA Press Wing Facts, BSS reports.

The rumour, amplified by dozens of users including Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, falsely asserts that an Islamic crescent and star, resembling symbols commonly associated with Pakistan and Turkey, will be added to the Bangladeshi flag, it said.

The press wing said a digitally fabricated image showing a redesigned flag has gone viral, amassing nearly one million views and significant engagement - especially from audiences in Pakistan, Turkey, and the Middle East.

"These claims are entirely false.

As of June 14, 2025, no credible Bangladeshi media outlet has reported any such plan or discussion about changing the flag's design.

There is no basis for nationwide discussion on a decision that doesn't exist, nor has any domestic or international reliable news source mentioned such a move," the statement read.

Bangladeshi fact-checking outlet The Dissent reported: "Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of the deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, propagated a false article titled 'Bangladesh Considers Adding Islamic Crescent to Its Flag, Mirroring Pakistan and Turkey,' written by an AI-generated author named Robert Brown, and published on June 6.

The article circulating this false narrative contains no citations, evidence, or traceable sources.

The fake story appears to have originated from a post made on June 4 by the pro-Pakistan X account @SouthAsiaIndex, which first shared a mock design of a new Bangladeshi flag. This same image was later included in the fake article shared by Sajeeb Wazed."

This misinformation campaign appears to be deliberately designed to exploit religious symbolism and provoke identity-based outrage, especially among nationalist or conservative audiences, the press wing said.

The so-called redesigned flag was created using AI-generated imagery, underscoring the fabricated nature of the entire claim.

This is not the first time such narratives have surfaced. Following the mass protests in Bangladesh in July, several accounts - including @AsianDigest - falsely claimed that student leaders had proposed a new national flag, according to the statement.

That post gathered over 90,000 views before being thoroughly debunked, the press wing said, urging social media users to exercise caution and verify any such claims before sharing.

It said there is no movement in Bangladesh advocating for a change in its national flag, and these fabricated stories serve only to distort the truth and create unnecessary division.

"Let us prioritise factual information and resist the spread of unfounded rumours," the statement said.​

 

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Govt trashes claims linking Prof Yunus to NCP, election opposition

Chief Adviser's press wing on Sunday said a false claim began circulating on some social media accounts and a propaganda website after the interim government considered elections for February 2026. Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and the interim government have enjoyed "broad public backing

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Govt trashes claims linking Prof Yunus to NCP, election opposition

UNB
Published :
Jun 16, 2025 00:23
Updated :
Jun 16, 2025 00:23

Chief Adviser's press wing on Sunday said a false claim began circulating on some social media accounts and a propaganda website after the interim government considered elections for February 2026.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and the interim government have enjoyed "broad public backing, including support from major political parties" such as BNP, Jamaat, NCP and AB Party, said the press wing, trashing the propaganda.

These parties have endorsed the interim government's efforts to transition towards democracy, implement reforms and deliver justice for the crimes committed by the former autocratic Awami League regime during the July-August crackdown, it said.

"Let's stay committed to factual information and stand firm against the spread of false and divisive propaganda," said the press wing.

Widely circulated propaganda falsely claims that the public does not support elections under Prof Yunus and cites an unsubstantiated claim that 80% of Bangladeshis want an end to his leadership. It also asserts-without evidence-that Prof Yunus founded the National Citizens Party (NCP) to seize political power, according to th Fact-Checking window of the press wing.

The rumor first appeared on a pro-Awami League propaganda site, BDvortex, which published a misleading headline claiming "80% want Dr. Yunus out," but failed to cite any data, statements, or sources, it claimed.

In fact, the figure was only mentioned in the headline and not in the article itself. Following this, several pro-Awami League social media users began sharing the claims widely, said the press wing.

"BDvortex is not a credible news platform. It has no legal status, no listed address and no verifiable journalists. Its sole purpose appears to be spreading politically motivated disinformation against Bangladesh's democratic efforts."

Contrary to the claims, Prof Yunus did not form or endorse the NCP, it said, adding that the party was founded by a group of students who led the July-August 2024 mass uprising.

Nahid Islam established the NCP after resigning from his advisory role in the interim government.

There is no evidence linking Prof Yunus or the interim government to the formation of the NCP, said the press wing. "No reliable statistics or credible research support these propaganda narratives."​

 

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Social media users asked to avoid AI-generated deepfake videos made featuring CA

The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing has urged social media users to be more cautious and avoid being deceived by AI-generated deepfake videos made showing Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus by gamblers. “Gambling ads targeting Bangladeshi users on social media aren’t new, but they

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Social media users asked to avoid AI-generated deepfake videos made featuring CA

FE Online Desk
Published :
Jun 16, 2025 23:39
Updated :
Jun 16, 2025 23:39

The Chief Adviser’s Press Wing has urged social media users to be more cautious and avoid being deceived by AI-generated deepfake videos made showing Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus by gamblers.

“Gambling ads targeting Bangladeshi users on social media aren’t new, but they’ve taken a disturbing turn-now exploiting the huge popularity of Professor Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh government-gamblers have been producing AI-generated deepfake videos to mimic news reports and fake statements in a bid to attract the public into their sites,” the press wing said in a statement on Monday.

The statement was posted on the press wing’s verified Facebook page - CA Press Wing Facts.

A recent example involves a deepfake video circulated on Facebook, falsely showing Prof Yunus endorsing a gambling app, according to BSS report.

“In this manipulated footage, Dr. Yunus appears to invite people to gamble for financial gain.

“Facebook user Jwfrh Hibbert shared the video, where Dr. Yunus is seen stating that the government launched an app that promises users significant returns on their investments,” the statement read.

In the video, Prof Yunus was seen saying “We tested our product with a small group of volunteers. Each of them earned over 555,000 BDT in the first week. I’m ready to return your money from my own pocket if you don’t make at least 37,000 BDT in the first week. So far, no one has failed to achieve the result.”

However, investigation reveals that the video is AI-manipulated. A reverse image search shows the footage was taken from Al Jazeera’s programme Talk to Al Jazeera, aired on April 27, 2025, and recorded at their Doha headquarters, according to the press wing.

In the actual interview, Prof Yunus said nothing about betting or any government-launched investment apps. The misleading video also featured the bdnews24.com logo-despite that outlet never releasing such a video.

Upon reviewing the Facebook account that posted it, investigators found it was created on June 14, 2022, and appeared to be operated by multiple users based in Lithuania.

The account has only four posts, all promoting a gambling app called Blue Live.

“The video is entirely fake and AI-generated. The voice is robotic and does not match Dr. Yunus’ real voice,” the statement said.

This is not an isolated case. Since the interim government formed in August 2024, numerous deepfake videos featuring Prof Yunus have surfaced across Meta’s platforms.

In some, he’s falsely shown promoting gaming apps as solutions to Bangladesh’s poverty and unemployment. Others claim the initiative was taken to support student movements or help flood victims, according to the press wing.

“In another deepfake, Dr. Yunus appears to promote a betting site named Crazy Time Bangladesh. This, too, is fabricated.

“The manipulated video featuring Crazy Time Bangladesh falsely uses Dr. Yunus as its spokesperson. In reality, the video was created using digital editing tools,” the statement said.

A reverse image search of key frames links the fake content to an original News24 YouTube video from August 10, titled: “Rangpur must become the number one district: Dr. Yunus”.

Upon close examination, it is evident that scenes in the fake gambling ad-Dr. Yunus’ clothing, background, and nearby individuals-perfectly match those in the original News24 video.

“We urge social media users to be more cautious and avoid being deceived by such deepfake videos,” the statement read.​