The Rising Tide of Transnational Disinformation: Bangladesh Confronts Fake News from India
The digital age has ushered in an era of unprecedented information access, but it has also opened the floodgates to the rapid dissemination of misinformation and disinformation, collectively known as "fake news." Misinformation refers to the unintentional spread of false or misleading information, while disinformation involves the deliberate propagation of falsehoods to manipulate public opinion for political, financial, or social gain. Bangladesh has long grappled with the issue of fake news within its borders, but a recent surge in disinformation originating from India has raised serious concerns, transforming the issue into a matter of national importance. A Bangladeshi fact-checking organization, Rumour Scanner, has documented at least 13 instances of fake news disseminated across 49 Indian media outlets between August 12 and December 5, 2024, highlighting the scale and potential impact of this issue.
The existing international legal framework for addressing misinformation and promoting responsible media use has proven largely ineffective. Treaties like the 1936 Convention on the Use of Broadcasting in the Cause of Peace and the 1953 Convention on the International Right of Correction lack widespread adoption and practical enforcement mechanisms. Furthermore, neither Bangladesh nor India are parties to these treaties, leaving both countries reliant on broader principles of international law, such as state responsibility, which proves difficult to apply in practice. The anonymity afforded by online platforms and the frequent involvement of non-state actors make it challenging to attribute responsibility for the spread of fake news to a specific state. Therefore, a multifaceted approach to counter disinformation is necessary, employing a combination of strategies implemented concurrently for maximum impact.
One crucial measure involves issuing prompt and official rebuttals to counter false narratives. This approach serves to clarify facts, uphold national dignity, and prevent the escalation of misunderstandings stemming from disinformation. A recent example of this strategy in action was Bangladesh’s official response to a baseless narrative propagated by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs regarding the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das. The Indian narrative misrepresented the circumstances of the arrest, prompting a swift and unequivocal rebuttal from Bangladesh, correcting the record and sending a clear message that distortions of truth undermining its sovereignty or bilateral relations would not be tolerated.
Diplomatic dialogue between the foreign ministries of affected countries provides another avenue for addressing disinformation. A Foreign Secretary-level meeting between Bangladesh and India on December 9 exemplifies this approach. During the meeting, the Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary raised concerns about misleading narratives in Indian media alleging hostile treatment of minorities in Bangladesh following the July-August Revolution. By bringing this issue to the attention of the Indian government and requesting appropriate action, Bangladesh underscored its commitment to resolving the matter amicably through constructive engagement.
Leveraging social media platforms to combat false narratives is another critical component of an effective counter-disinformation strategy. Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, recently appealed to Meta to address a disinformation campaign targeting Bangladesh. While this initiative is commendable, it should be expanded to encompass other major social media platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube to ensure a comprehensive response across the digital landscape. This multifaceted approach is crucial to stemming the flow of disinformation at its source.
Expanding the presence of influencers and content creators who comment on political issues on platforms like YouTube is essential for promoting accurate information and fostering informed public discourse. These individuals can play a crucial role in debunking false narratives and providing context to complex issues. Furthermore, incorporating links to original articles, studies, and data in video descriptions enhances transparency and encourages audiences to engage in critical thinking and research. Providing English subtitles expands the reach of this content to international audiences, further combating the spread of misinformation globally. A dedicated training program for influencers and content creators on fact-checking techniques would further enhance their ability to share accurate and reliable information. Simultaneously, bolstering Bangladesh’s presence on X (formerly Twitter) is vital for real-time information sharing, public diplomacy, and countering misinformation on a global scale.
Learning from the experiences of other countries that have successfully tackled disinformation provides valuable insights for Bangladesh. Taiwan, facing a constant barrage of disinformation from Chinese state media, has developed effective fact-checking initiatives like MyGoPen and the Taiwan FactCheck Centre (TFC). MyGoPen debunks viral rumors on social media, while TFC, affiliated with the International Fact-Checking Network, conducts rigorous investigations into political, social, and public health misinformation. Bangladesh could adopt a similar model by collaborating with fact-checking organizations to disseminate accurate information both domestically and internationally, while also bolstering existing domestic fact-checking capabilities. Finland, renowned for its high media literacy, has implemented a robust media literacy curriculum in its schools since 2016. This program equips students with the skills to critically evaluate information sources and understand the complexities of freedom of expression. Emulating this model by incorporating media literacy into the Bangladeshi education system would empower citizens to discern credible information and effectively counter disinformation.
Finally, establishing a dedicated 24/7 response team to monitor and address emerging fake news in real-time is crucial. This team would rapidly identify and assess the impact of misinformation, enabling swift deployment of counter-narratives and strategies to prevent the escalation of false information. This proactive approach, combined with the other measures outlined, will strengthen Bangladesh’s resilience against disinformation campaigns and promote a more informed and nuanced public discourse.
