In October of this year, Bangladeshi fact-checking organization Rumor Scanner detected 470 pieces of misinformation spread on the internet. This is the highest number of misinformation pieces identified in a single month in Rumor Scanner’s history. The fact-checks for this misinformation have been published through 363 reports on Rumor Scanner’s website. Analysis shows that political issues accounted for the most misinformation spread in October (205), which is about 44 percent of the total misinformation. Additionally, 94 pieces of misinformation were detected on national issues, 85 on entertainment, 10 on religious topics, 38 on international issues, 26 on sports, four each on education and fraud, and four on other topics last month. Apart from regular fact-checks, two statistical reports and three fact files were also published in October.
An analysis of the misinformation identified in October shows that video-centric misinformation was the most frequent in these incidents, totaling 280. Additionally, information-centric misinformation were 111, and photo-centric misinformation were 79.
Among the identified misinformation, 299 incidents were classified as false, 118 as distorted, 52 as misleading, and 1 incident as partially false.
Analyzing the identified misinformation, Rumor Scanner observed that 240 incidents of misinformation involved men, and 172 incidents of misinformation involved women during this period.
During the same period, the misinformation was divided into four categories based on age demographics.
The analysis shows that the youth (aged 18 to 35 years) were the subject of the highest number of misinformation incidents (162).
Additionally, four incidents of misinformation involved children (aged 0 to 17 years), 126 involved middle-aged individuals (aged 36 to 59 years), and 118 involved senior citizens (aged 60 years or more).
Examining the platforms, Facebook was the dominant source for the spread of misinformation last month, accounting for 414 incidents. Other platforms included Instagram (136), TikTok (114), YouTube (68), X (25), Threads (at least 14), and one incident each on WhatsApp and LinkedIn. Notably, the country’s media outlets were not immune, with Rumor Scanner identifying 12 incidents of misinformation being propagated across several domestic media platforms.
The issue of communal propaganda focusing on Bangladesh has been under discussion for the past several months. In October, Rumor Scanner identified 10 incidents of communal propaganda. In half of these cases, there was evidence that the disinformation was spread on social media via accounts and pages claiming an Indian identity.
Furthermore, Rumor Scanner’s team observed that seven incidents of misinformation involved the current interim government in October. To understand the nature of this misinformation, Rumor Scanner divided it into two separate categories: the dissemination of misinformation favorable to the government was considered ‘positive,’ and the dissemination of misinformation unfavorable to the government was considered ‘negative.’ Based on this, Rumor Scanner found that in approximately 86 percent of these misinformation incidents, the government was presented negatively.
During the month of October, 23 incidents of misinformation were spread concerning Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of the interim government. In approximately 96 percent of these misinformation cases, he was presented in a negative light. Furthermore, Rumor Scanner identified: six incidents of misinformation involving the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam; five incidents each involving government advisers Dr. Asif Nazrul and Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan; and one incident of misinformation involving Syeda Rizwana Hasan.
Discussions regarding the 13th National Parliament Election are widespread. The dissemination of disinformation centered on this election has increased significantly over the past few months. In October, 25 incidents of such election-related disinformation were identified.
Analyzing the fact-checks from October, Rumor Scanner observed that among the actively political parties, the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, its affiliates, and leaders were targeted by the most disinformation (60 incidents). Of these, 30 incidents specifically involved the Jamaat-e-Islami as a party. In nearly 57 percent of these cases, the disinformation created an opportunity for a negative perception of the party. Additionally, 21 incidents of disinformation were disseminated involving the party’s student organization, the Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, during this period.
Following Jamaat-e-Islami, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), its affiliates, and leaders were targeted by the most disinformation (35 incidents). Of these, 18 incidents specifically involved the BNP as a party, all of which created an opportunity for a negative perception of the party. Furthermore, evidence of nine incidents of disinformation involving the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) and two incidents involving the Jatiyatabadi Juba Dal was found during this period.
Additionally, in October, Rumor Scanner identified 34 incidents of disinformation involving the National Citizens Party (NCP) and its leaders/activists. Of these, 10 incidents specifically involved the NCP as a party, all of which created an opportunity for a negative perception of the party. During this period, nine incidents of disinformation (all of which were negative) were observed involving the party’s convener, Nahid Islam.
The Bangladesh Awami League, a party whose activities are currently banned, along with its affiliated and fraternal organizations and leaders/activists, was the subject of 132 incidents of disinformation in October. Of these, 51 incidents specifically involved the Awami League as a party, all of which created an opportunity for a positive perception of the party. Evidence of 39 incidents of disinformation involving the party’s president, Sheikh Hasina, was found during this period (with approximately 79 percent being positive). Furthermore, 10 incidents of disinformation involving the party’s now-banned student organization, the Bangladesh Students League, and two incidents involving the Jubo League were identified last month.
State forces are also not safe from the fury of misinformation. In October, Rumor Scanner observed 32 incidents of misinformation concerning the Bangladesh Army, including 12 incidents involving Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman. Furthermore, Rumor Scanner identified 12 incidents of misinformation involving the Bangladesh Police.
Analyzing the misinformation identified in October, Rumor Scanner observed that 143 incidents of fake content were created using Artificial Intelligence (AI) during this period. Of these, 19 incidents were identified as deepfake content.
The analysis also showed that nine different events or issues generated misinformation in October. Among these, the highest number of false information incidents (25 incidents) were identified concerning the various fire incidents that occurred throughout the month. Additionally, 18 incidents of misinformation were identified regarding the Global Sumud Flotilla issue, and 10 incidents were identified related to the Asia Cup issue.
The spread of misinformation using the names, logos, headlines, and fake photocards of media outlets is once again on the rise. In October, 67 incidents of misinformation were disseminated by co-opting 23 domestic and international news media organizations across 61 separate incidents using this method.
Issued by
Tanvir Mahatab Abir
Senior Fact Checker,
Rumor Scanner Bangladesh
[email protected]
