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Bangladesh fact-checking organisation Rumor Scanner detected 450 pieces of misinformation that spread on the internet in November this year. This is the second-highest number of misinformation detections in a single month in Rumor Scanner’s history. A total of 394 fact-check reports were published on the Rumor Scanner website to verify these pieces of misinformation.

Analysis shows that in November, the highest number of misinformation—305 incidents—were related to politics, which accounts for almost 68% of the total misinformation. Besides, 60 were national issues, 43 related to environment-climate, 8 related to entertainment, 4 to religion, 22 to international affairs, 4 to sports, 1 to education, and 3 cases related to fraud.

An analysis of the misinformation detected in November shows that most of the incidents were video-based (230). Apart from that, 152 were information-based and 68 were image-based. Among the detected misinformation, 364 were false, 46 were distorted, 39 were misleading, and 1 was partially true.

Rumor Scanner observed that 220 pieces of misinformation involved men, while 93 pieces involved women.

During the same period, the misinformation was categorized into four age groups. Analysis shows that the highest number—142—involved elderly individuals (60 years or older). Five pieces involved children (0 to 17 years), 71 involved youth (18 to 35 years), and 90 involved middle-aged individuals (36 to 59 years).

As for platforms, Facebook saw the highest spread of misinformation last month—400 incidents. Besides, 148 were on Instagram, 110 on TikTok, 42 on YouTube, 21 on X, and at least 16 on Threads. The country’s mainstream media was not spared either—Rumor Scanner found 17 incidents where Bangladeshi media outlets spread misinformation. Indian media spread 5 pieces of disinformation regarding Bangladesh last month.

The spread of communal disinformation about Bangladesh has been a topic of discussion for the past several months. In November, Rumor Scanner identified 7 pieces of communal disinformation. Among these, 6 were circulated through social media accounts and pages using Bangladeshi identities.

Rumor Scanner’s team observed that 9 pieces of misinformation were spread involving the current interim government in November. To understand the nature of these misinformation incidents, Rumor Scanner divided them into two categories: positive misinformation (favouring the government) and negative misinformation (against the government). Rumor Scanner found that all of these incidents portrayed the government negatively.

In November, 25 pieces of misinformation were circulated involving the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Dr Muhammad Yunus. Almost 96% of these portrayed him negatively. Two pieces of misinformation were spread involving government adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, and one each involving Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Asif Mahmud Sojib Bhuiyan, A F M Khalid Hossain, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, and Farida Akhter. Additionally, five pieces involved the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, and one involved Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder.

There has been widespread discussion about the 13th National Parliamentary Election. Over the past few months, the spread of misinformation regarding this election has increased. In November, 81 pieces of election-related misinformation were detected—the highest monthly count this year.

Rumor Scanner’s analysis of November’s fact-checks shows that among actively engaged political groups, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), its affiliates, and its leaders were targeted with the highest number of disinformation—119 pieces. Among them, 48 pieces were related to the party itself, and about 94% of these portrayed the party negatively. Besides, 11 pieces involved the party’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman (all negative). Five pieces targeted Chhatra Dal and one targeted Jubo Dal.

After BNP, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, its wings, and its members were targeted with 84 pieces of disinformation. Among these, 48 pieces involved Jamaat as a party, and about 77% of them portrayed the party negatively. Six pieces involved the party’s Amir, Dr Shafiqur Rahman—all of which portrayed him negatively. Fourteen pieces of misinformation targeted Jamaat’s student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir.

In addition, Rumor Scanner detected 28 pieces of misinformation involving the National Citizen Party (NCP) and its leaders. Among these, seven involved the party itself, and about 86% were negative.

The banned Bangladesh Awami League, its affiliated and associated organisations, and its leaders were targeted with 156 pieces of disinformation in November. Among these, 86 pieces involved the Awami League as a party—about 93% of which portrayed the party positively. A total of 34 pieces involved party president Sheikh Hasina (94% positive). Nineteen pieces targeted the banned student wing Bangladesh Chhatra League, and three targeted Jubo League.

State forces were also not spared from misinformation. In November, a total of 23 pieces involved the Bangladesh Army, including nine related to Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman. Thirteen involved the Bangladesh Police, two each involved the Air Force and Navy, and one each involved the RAB, Border Guard Bangladesh, and Ansar & Village Defence Party.

Rumor Scanner found that 74 pieces of AI-generated fake content were detected in November, including 17 deepfake contents.

Three major events or issues saw significant misinformation in November. Among these, the Awami League’s lockdown on 13 November saw the highest—78 pieces. Additionally, 24 pieces were linked to the Sheikh Hasina verdict issue, and 41 pieces related to earthquake news.

The use of fake newscards—using media names, logos, headlines, and counterfeit templates—has increased again. In November, such tactics were used in 87 incidents, involving 27 domestic and international media outlets, resulting in 93 pieces of misinformation.