India-Based Media Outlets Spread Disinformation on Bangladesh, Fact-Checking Platform Reveals
Dhaka, Bangladesh – A recent investigation by Rumor Scanner, a Bangladeshi fact-checking organization, has uncovered a wave of disinformation targeting Bangladesh originating from 49 India-based media outlets. Between August 12th and December 5th, these outlets published and broadcast fabricated stories related to 13 distinct issues, ranging from political upheaval to communal violence, often amplifying narratives that painted a distorted picture of the situation in Bangladesh. The report raises serious concerns about the spread of misinformation and its potential to damage bilateral relations. Rumor Scanner’s meticulous documentation provides a comprehensive overview of the fabricated narratives and the media outlets involved.
Republic Bangla Leads the Charge in Spreading False Narratives
Republic Bangla emerged as the primary source of misinformation, single-handedly disseminating false reports on five separate issues. Hindustan Times, Zee News, and Live Mint each contributed to the spread of false narratives related to three different issues. Republic, India Today, ABP Anand, and Aaj Tak also played a significant role, each publishing or broadcasting fake news on two separate occasions. The remaining 41 media outlets identified in the report each propagated fabricated stories on one specific issue. The sheer volume of misinformation emanating from these sources underscores the need for greater scrutiny and accountability in media reporting.
Fabricated Narratives Target Political Figures and Sow Discord
The spread of fake news intensified following a hypothetical political scenario involving the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Indian media outlets falsely reported that Hasina had issued an open letter blaming the United States for her downfall. Rumor Scanner’s investigation traced the origin of this fabricated letter to a Facebook post, which was later picked up and published by the Agartala-based daily Tripura Bhobishyot. This incident highlights how disinformation can easily migrate from social media platforms to mainstream media, amplifying its reach and impact.
Another instance of disinformation involved a video clip circulated across Indian media outlets depicting a Hindu man organizing a human chain to demand the recovery of his missing son. Fact-checking revealed the man in the video was actually Muslim, and the human chain was organized to search for his son who had gone missing in 2013. This misrepresentation played into existing communal tensions and underscores the dangerous potential of misinformation to incite violence and deepen social divisions.
False Reporting on Health, Travel, and International Relations
The disinformation campaign also targeted prominent figures like Professor Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel laureate and microfinance pioneer. Indian media falsely claimed Yunus was critically ill and hospitalized, even publishing a photograph of a patient that was neither recent nor taken in Bangladesh. Further false reports claimed Yunus had fled to France following the 2016 US presidential election. These fabrications aimed to undermine Yunus’s credibility and sow confusion about his activities.
Misinformation also extended to international relations and trade. When a container ship arrived in Chittagong port directly from Karachi, Pakistan, Indian media outlets falsely claimed it was the same Pakistani military vessel that had transported arms and ammunition during the 1971 Liberation War. This false narrative sought to revive historical tensions and cast suspicion on the nature of trade relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Distorted Reporting of Domestic Incidents Fuels Social Unrest
Domestic incidents within Bangladesh were also subject to distortion and fabrication. Indian media misrepresented the circumstances surrounding the death of Saiful Islam Alif, a lawyer killed during clashes following the arrest of a Hindu leader. Falsely claiming Alif was the arrested leader’s lawyer, the reports ignored the actual sequence of events and fueled communal tensions.
Other fabricated narratives included claims of a planned airbase construction near the sensitive Siliguri Corridor, with Chinese assistance, and false reports of attacks on Hindu temples by Muslims in Bangladesh. These fabrications, often accompanied by misleading visuals, sought to portray Bangladesh as unstable and prone to violence.
False Travel Advisories and Misrepresentation of Accidents
The disinformation campaign also involved falsely claiming the UK had issued a travel advisory warning its citizens of potential terror attacks in Bangladesh. Rumor Scanner debunked this claim, revealing the advisory was misleadingly presented. Furthermore, Indian media outlets misrepresented a traffic accident involving a Bangladeshi truck and an Indian bus, falsely alleging that local people had threatened Indian passengers and chanted anti-India slogans.
Call for Accountability and Responsible Journalism
The systematic dissemination of disinformation by these Indian media outlets raises serious concerns about journalistic ethics and the potential for such reporting to damage bilateral relations. Rumor Scanner’s detailed report provides compelling evidence of the scale and scope of this disinformation campaign. It underscores the urgent need for greater media accountability and responsible reporting practices to prevent the further spread of harmful misinformation. The international community must work together to combat this insidious threat to informed public discourse and peaceful coexistence.