In light of recent events following the fall of the Awami League government during the student uprising, it is deeply concerning to observe the spread of fake news and rumours about Bangladesh by various Indian media outlets. A report by Rumor Scanner, a Bangladeshi fact-checking organisation accredited by the International Fact-Checking Network, reveals that 49 Indian media outlets have propagated disinformation between August 12 and December 5.
Prominent Indian outlets such as Republic Bangla, Hindustan Times, Zee News, and Live Mint have published multiple unverified claims. Among these, Republic Bangla tops the list with five false reports,
followed by others such as India Today, ABP Anand, and Aaj Tak. The report highlights issues ranging from
fabricated letters attributed to Sheikh Hasina to
misleading claims about the interim government's Chief Adviser, Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
Notable examples include baseless allegations of arms shipments through Pakistani vessels, false rumours of vandalizing idols in Hindu temples, and misleading reports about Bangladesh's air force collaborating with China. Such disinformation not only tarnishes Bangladesh's image but also fosters unnecessary tension between the nations.
Fahmidul Haque, a Bangladeshi media analyst, noted that mainstream Indian media often neglects the verification standards expected of professional journalism, reducing their credibility to the level of unchecked social media platforms. He suggests proactive measures such as official protests by the Bangladesh government, enhancing the nation's English-language presence on social media platforms, and collaborating with reputable international outlets to counter disinformation effectively.
It is imperative for responsible journalism to prevail, especially in the context of cross-border relations. Ensuring factual reporting and addressing misinformation are essential steps towards fostering understanding and cooperation between nations.
Ashikujaman Syed, Research Assistant
Bioinformatics Research Lab, Center for Research Innovation and Development (CRID)
[email protected]
