Written by The Banking Post
Bangladeshi fact-checking organisation Rumor Scanner identified 320 pieces of misinformation that spread online in August this year. The count is based on fact-check reports published on Rumor Scanner’s website during the month.
Among them, political topics accounted for the highest share with 202 cases, nearly 63% of the total. Other categories include: 63 on national issues, 15 on international issues, 14 on entertainment and literature, 11 on religion, 9 on education, 3 on fraud, 2 on sports, and 1 on science and technology.
By format, video-based misinformation dominated with 218 cases, followed by 64 text-based and 38 image-based. Of the total, 219 were false, 25 fabricated, 75 misleading, and 1 sarcasm-based.
As platforms, Facebook carried the highest number with 271 cases, followed by Instagram 147, TikTok 86, YouTube 54, X (Twitter) 27, and Threads at least 3 cases. Traditional media was not exempt either: Rumor Scanner documented 22 cases of misinformation published by mainstream Bangladeshi outlets.
Communal misinformation trend
The spread of communal misinformation centering Bangladesh has been widely discussed in recent months. In August, Rumor Scanner detected 11 communal misinformation cases—6 of which originated from Bangladeshi-identified accounts and pages on social media.
Misinformation targeting the interim government
Rumor Scanner observed 5 pieces of misinformation linked to the current interim government in August. To categorise them, the team divided these into positive (in favour of government) and negative (against government). All five cases presented the government negatively.
Interim government Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus was the subject of 10 misinformation cases, all negative. Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Dr Asif Nazrul were each targeted in 2 cases (all negative), while Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan was linked to 1 negative case.
Election-related misinformation
With the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election under discussion, Rumor Scanner noted 8 misinformation cases in August relating to the polls.
Party-wise breakdown
- BNP: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), its affiliates, and leaders were the most targeted, with 45 cases. Among these, 23 were directly about BNP, 91% of which created a negative perception. Acting chairman Tarique Rahman was mentioned in 2 cases (half negative). Chhatra Dal saw 5 cases (80% negative), and Jubo Dal 2 (all negative).
- Jamaat-e-Islami: The party and its affiliates faced 25 misinformation cases. Of these, 13 targeted the party, all negative. Its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir was linked to 9 cases (all negative).
- National Citizen’s Party (NCP): Rumor Scanner detected 16 cases, including 10 targeting the party directly, all negative.
- Awami League (banned): The banned Awami League, its affiliates, and leaders were linked to 92 misinformation cases. Of these, 32 targeted the party, with 97% positive in tone. Party president Sheikh Hasina was mentioned in 23 cases (96% positive). Its student wing Chhatra League was linked to 13 cases (85% positive), and Jubo League to 9 cases (89% positive).
State institutions also targeted
Rumor Scanner recorded 21 misinformation cases involving the Bangladesh Army, including 8 targeting Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman.
The Bangladesh Police was linked to 23 cases, including 1 involving IGP Baharul Alam.
AI-generated and deepfake content
In August, Rumor Scanner identified 38 AI-generated fake contents and 3 deepfake contents.
Major events of August that drove misinformation
Rumor Scanner observed 6 key issues around which misinformation circulated:
- August 7: Murder of journalist Asaduzzaman Tuhin in Gazipur
- August 15: Death anniversary of Bangladesh’s first President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
- Upcoming Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) election
- Stone looting incident in Sylhet
- Visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister & Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh
- August 29: Clashes in Dhaka between Jatiya Party (JaPa) and Gono Odhikar Parishad
Among these, the death anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman generated the most misinformation (21 cases). The DUCSU election issue produced 8 cases, Pakistan FM’s visit 6 cases, and the other three events 4 cases each.
Decline in fake news using media identity
The use of fake news cards, fabricated logos, headlines, and cloned media identities to spread misinformation appears to have declined. In August, 12 media houses were linked to 19 misinformation cases spread through this method.
