Publish: 14:27, 07 Dec, 2024

Investigation uncovers 13 false reports spread by 49 Indian media outlets about Bangladesh

Online Desk
Investigation uncovers 13 false reports spread by 49 Indian media outlets about Bangladesh

An investigation by Rumor Scanner, a fact-checking organization, has revealed that 49 Indian media outlets have circulated 13 false reports about Bangladesh between August 12 and December 5. The reports, which began circulating after the fall of the Awami League government, have caused misinformation regarding the political and social situation in Bangladesh.

The Rumor Scanner team’s report, titled "Spread of Fake News About Bangladesh in Indian Media Outlets," highlights several key fabricated stories. Among the leading offenders, Republic Bangla was found to be the most prolific, airing five false reports, followed by Hindustan Times, Zee News, and Live Mint, which each broadcast three rumors. Other outlets like Republic, India Today, ABP Anand, and Aaj Tak each contributed two.

Among the numerous false claims, some notable examples include:

  • A fabricated open letter purportedly written by Sheikh Hasina after her resignation, falsely blaming the United States for her removal from power.

  • A misleading video showing a man holding a human chain to search for his missing son, which Indian media wrongly claimed involved a Hindu man when, in fact, the man was Muslim and his name was Babul Howlader.

  • False reports of Dr. Muhammad Yunus, appointed as the chief adviser of the interim government, being admitted to the ICU. The photo circulating alongside this claim was not of Yunus, nor was it recent.

  • Claims that banned militant organizations had been reinstated in Bangladesh, which were disproven by Rumor Scanner’s investigation, revealing no truth to the allegations.

Additionally, Indian media outlets misrepresented several events. One such instance involved a container-carrying ship arriving at Chattogram Port from Karachi, which some outlets wrongly linked to the Pakistani military vessel "Swat" and alleged it was carrying arms. The truth was that the ship, MV Yuan Xiang Fa Zhan, was a commercial vessel bringing industrial raw materials.

Other false reports included fabricated stories about the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam, which was falsely linked to Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari’s case, as well as claims about a ban on Indian satellite channels in Bangladesh and the building of a new airbase in Lalmonirhat with Chinese technical assistance—both of which were debunked.

In November, a video of an idol immersion in India was falsely claimed to be related to attacks on Hindu temples in Bangladesh. Indian outlets also reported that a Shyamoli Paribahan bus accident in Bangladesh had involved anti-India slogans and threats to Indian passengers, which was found to be a misrepresentation of the incident.

Further, misleading reports about the UK issuing a travel advisory specific to Bangladesh were also found to be inaccurate. The advisory was part of a broader alert for several countries, including India, Indonesia, Germany, and others, not just Bangladesh.

Rumor Scanner emphasized the far-reaching impact of these false reports, especially considering the widespread circulation on social media, with some reports being cited over 11 million times. According to the investigation, influential Hindu-American groups, Indian national and regional newspapers, and prominent commentators have used these false claims to portray an exaggerated view of the situation in Bangladesh.

The organization urges independent media outlets and international rights groups to conduct their own investigations into these rumors to ensure accuracy and fairness in reporting on Bangladesh.

(Source: BSS)

BD-Pratidin English/Mazdud

More News
Commission proposes 4-year bicameral parliament, 2-term PM limit
Commission proposes 4-year bicameral parliament, 2-term PM limit
Land ministry’s updated server launched
Land ministry’s updated server launched
July mass killing trial could be completed before election
July mass killing trial could be completed before election
Dhaka to urge Beijing for lower interest rates, extended repayment period
Dhaka to urge Beijing for lower interest rates, extended repayment period
Report on cases against Hasina, Joy over plot scam on April 15
Report on cases against Hasina, Joy over plot scam on April 15
Matiur's wife Laila Kaniz sent to jail
Matiur's wife Laila Kaniz sent to jail
Talks likely with political parties over reforms in Feb: Rizwana
Talks likely with political parties over reforms in Feb: Rizwana
47 recommendations to free ACC from political, bureaucratic influence
47 recommendations to free ACC from political, bureaucratic influence
Bangladesh needs global support for climate adaptation: France
Bangladesh needs global support for climate adaptation: France
Another cold wave approaches
Another cold wave approaches
Malaysian High Commissioner pays courtesy call on Jamaat Ameer
Malaysian High Commissioner pays courtesy call on Jamaat Ameer
Reform reports to shape new Bangladesh framework & charter
Reform reports to shape new Bangladesh framework & charter
Latest News
Cabrera reappointed as national team head coach for one year
Cabrera reappointed as national team head coach for one year
3 hours ago | Sports
When the US had 2 presidents, 2 flags
When the US had 2 presidents, 2 flags
4 hours ago | International
Commission proposes 4-year bicameral parliament, 2-term PM limit
Commission proposes 4-year bicameral parliament, 2-term PM limit
4 hours ago | National
Govt to facilitate business, won’t engage in it: BIDA
Govt to facilitate business, won’t engage in it: BIDA
4 hours ago | Business
Land ministry’s updated server launched
Land ministry’s updated server launched
5 hours ago | National
Govt introduces market based interest rate for savings certificate
Govt introduces market based interest rate for savings certificate
5 hours ago | Business
Italy, Albania and UAE ink clean energy cooperation deal
Italy, Albania and UAE ink clean energy cooperation deal
5 hours ago | International
July mass killing trial could be completed before election
July mass killing trial could be completed before election
5 hours ago | National
Dhaka to urge Beijing for lower interest rates, extended repayment period
Dhaka to urge Beijing for lower interest rates, extended repayment period
6 hours ago | National
Report on cases against Hasina, Joy over plot scam on April 15
Report on cases against Hasina, Joy over plot scam on April 15
6 hours ago | National
Matiur's wife Laila Kaniz sent to jail
Matiur's wife Laila Kaniz sent to jail
7 hours ago | National
Talks likely with political parties over reforms in Feb: Rizwana
Talks likely with political parties over reforms in Feb: Rizwana
7 hours ago | National
Big syndicate involved in vehicle fraud: DMP
Big syndicate involved in vehicle fraud: DMP
7 hours ago | City
47 recommendations to free ACC from political, bureaucratic influence
47 recommendations to free ACC from political, bureaucratic influence
7 hours ago | National
Bangladesh needs global support for climate adaptation: France
Bangladesh needs global support for climate adaptation: France
7 hours ago | National
DMP files 2,085 cases for traffic rules violation
DMP files 2,085 cases for traffic rules violation
8 hours ago | City
RRP Agro Farms looking for Senior Technician
RRP Agro Farms looking for Senior Technician
8 hours ago | Business
Another cold wave approaches
Another cold wave approaches
8 hours ago | National
Trade in the hands of Bipu- Bobby 's friends and associates
Trade in the hands of Bipu- Bobby 's friends and associates
8 hours ago | Business
Malaysian High Commissioner pays courtesy call on Jamaat Ameer
Malaysian High Commissioner pays courtesy call on Jamaat Ameer
9 hours ago | National
Emma Reynolds replaces Tulip as UK City Minister
Emma Reynolds replaces Tulip as UK City Minister
9 hours ago | International
Norway, UK slam imminent Israeli ban on UNRWA
Norway, UK slam imminent Israeli ban on UNRWA
9 hours ago | International
Reform reports to shape new Bangladesh framework & charter
Reform reports to shape new Bangladesh framework & charter
9 hours ago | National
Govt prioritises gas exploration, extraction amidst crisis
Govt prioritises gas exploration, extraction amidst crisis
10 hours ago | National
'If we cannot deliver justice, we have no right to exist'
'If we cannot deliver justice, we have no right to exist'
10 hours ago | National
Anisul, Dipu Moni, 7 others shown arrested in fresh cases
Anisul, Dipu Moni, 7 others shown arrested in fresh cases
10 hours ago | National
Election pressure mounts
Election pressure mounts
10 hours ago | Special
60 dead at illegal S.African mine: Police
60 dead at illegal S.African mine: Police
10 hours ago | International
Suspected outbreak of Marburg disease kills 8 in Tanzania: WHO
Suspected outbreak of Marburg disease kills 8 in Tanzania: WHO
10 hours ago | International
Police reforms aim to ensure neutrality, says IGP
Police reforms aim to ensure neutrality, says IGP
10 hours ago | National
Most Read
Shakib Khan's ‘Dorod’ to release on iScreen
Shakib Khan's ‘Dorod’ to release on iScreen
13 hours ago | Entertainment
Cuba to free 553 prisoners after removal from US terror list
Cuba to free 553 prisoners after removal from US terror list
15 hours ago | International
Taskin makes it to Wisden's ODI team of the Year
Taskin makes it to Wisden's ODI team of the Year
12 hours ago | Sports
Foreign investors allege investment hurdles in Bangladesh
Foreign investors allege investment hurdles in Bangladesh
15 hours ago | Business
Former NBR official Matiur, wife arrested
Former NBR official Matiur, wife arrested
16 hours ago | National
Reform reports to shape new Bangladesh framework & charter
Reform reports to shape new Bangladesh framework & charter
9 hours ago | National
FBI reveals Joy’s lavish lifestyle in US
FBI reveals Joy’s lavish lifestyle in US
14 hours ago | National
Armanitola Govt High School spreads light for 120 years
Armanitola Govt High School spreads light for 120 years
13 hours ago | Special
Met office forecasts dry weather mainly over country
Met office forecasts dry weather mainly over country
12 hours ago | National
47 recommendations to free ACC from political, bureaucratic influence
47 recommendations to free ACC from political, bureaucratic influence
7 hours ago | National
Ranbir Kapoor preps for ‘Dhoom 4’ with major transformation
Ranbir Kapoor preps for ‘Dhoom 4’ with major transformation
15 hours ago | Entertainment
Trade in the hands of Bipu- Bobby 's friends and associates
Trade in the hands of Bipu- Bobby 's friends and associates
8 hours ago | Business
US, Thailand sign civil nuclear cooperation agreement
US, Thailand sign civil nuclear cooperation agreement
15 hours ago | International
100 reserved seats proposed for women
100 reserved seats proposed for women
12 hours ago | Special
Zia Orphanage Trust Case: Khaleda, Tarique, all others acquitted
Zia Orphanage Trust Case: Khaleda, Tarique, all others acquitted
15 hours ago | National
US House passes bill banning transgender students from women's sports
US House passes bill banning transgender students from women's sports
15 hours ago | International
Biting cold batters Panchagarh, hits poor most
Biting cold batters Panchagarh, hits poor most
13 hours ago | National
'If we cannot deliver justice, we have no right to exist'
'If we cannot deliver justice, we have no right to exist'
10 hours ago | National
"Tulip should seek forgiveness from Bangladesh’s people"
"Tulip should seek forgiveness from Bangladesh’s people"
15 hours ago | National
Jason Roy expresses regret over national team exclusion
Jason Roy expresses regret over national team exclusion
13 hours ago | Sports
Four reform commissions submit reports to CA
Four reform commissions submit reports to CA
13 hours ago | National
Commission proposes 4-year bicameral parliament, 2-term PM limit
Commission proposes 4-year bicameral parliament, 2-term PM limit
4 hours ago | National
Liverpool comes up short against Forest as Man City’s fallibility returns
Liverpool comes up short against Forest as Man City’s fallibility returns
15 hours ago | Sports
Indonesia to set social media age limit, following Australia’s example
Indonesia to set social media age limit, following Australia’s example
14 hours ago | Tech
US SEC sues Musk, saying he didn’t disclose Twitter ownership on time
US SEC sues Musk, saying he didn’t disclose Twitter ownership on time
13 hours ago | Tech
Market not coming under control
Market not coming under control
13 hours ago | Special
July mass killing trial could be completed before election
July mass killing trial could be completed before election
5 hours ago | National
US, Japan, South Korea issue joint warning on North Korea cryptocurrency theft
US, Japan, South Korea issue joint warning on North Korea cryptocurrency theft
16 hours ago | International
Thailand to overhaul surrogacy law for inclusivity, transparency
Thailand to overhaul surrogacy law for inclusivity, transparency
13 hours ago | International
Govt plans upgrading Dhaka-Ctg highway to 10-lane, DPP by June
Govt plans upgrading Dhaka-Ctg highway to 10-lane, DPP by June
11 hours ago | National