BD stresses fact-checking in transparent, compelling way

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Friday said what Republican Donald Trump, who is running again for the White House, thinks about the events in Bangladesh "does obviously matter", but stressed that their task in the government was to tell the truth, reports UNB.
Trump, on Thursday, strongly condemned the "barbaric violence" against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are "getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos."
Shafiqul Alam said "He (Trump) may soon become the leader of the free world. But our task is to tell our truth in the most transparent and compelling way possible".
From the onset, Alam said, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus's strategy was to invite all foreign journalists, researchers and experts to come and visit Bangladesh.
"Let them discover Bangladesh in their own way, for we are confident of our society, our people, our country," said the Press Secretary.
He referred to Netra News as a most respected investigative news outlet on Bangladesh, which did an "excellent piece" of journalism.
"It shattered some of the lies propagated by the umbrella minority group, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council," Alam said through his verified Facebook account.
Alam said they know the group's claims played a big part in building the most false narrative on the revolution, especially on the violence targeting minority communities.
"We don't deny that some religiously motivated violence didn't take place. But they were isolated incidents and even then hugely exaggerated. Lies don't trigger a revolution - you have to give credit to the collective intelligence of the people," said the Press Secretary.
"You have to respect them as individuals and people. Momentarily, those motivated groups might win. But soon they will realise that their narrative does not have any legs. No amount of social media boosting or banners on New York public transport system and vans can then help their cause," he said.
Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, who was recently appointed as an Ambassador of Bangladesh, thanked Donald Trump for acknowledging the importance of protecting minorities wherever they are, regardless of their religion.
"However, fact-checking is essential to understand the real situation on the ground," he said in a reply to Trump through his X handle.
Ansarey also shared a "fact-checking" report of Sweden-based news organization Netra News that sheds light on what is being circulated by certain vested groups regarding Bangladesh.
Earlier, in a message through his X handle, Trump said "It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength!".
The 78-year-old former US President Trump said, "We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom. Under my administration, we will also strengthen our great partnership with India and my good friend, Prime Minister Modi."
"Kamala Harris will destroy your small businesses with more regulations and higher taxes. By contrast, I cut taxes, cut regulations, unleashed American energy, and built the greatest economy in history."
"We will do it again, bigger and better than ever before-and we will Make America Great Again," Trump said.
"Also, Happy Diwali to All. I hope the Festival of Lights leads to the Victory of Good over Evil!" Trump wrote.