In February of this year, the Bangladeshi fact-checking organization Rumor Scanner identified 925 instances of misinformation circulating on the internet, marking the highest number of detections to date. These fact-checks were published through 656 reports and five live updates on Rumor Scanner’s website. The surge in misinformation surrounding the 13th National Parliamentary Election on February 12 significantly contributed to the overall increase in misinformation throughout the month, with an average of approximately 33 pieces of misinformation identified per day.
Analysis shows that political disinformation was the most prevalent in February, with 809 instances identified, accounting for nearly 87% of the total. Additionally, the organization identified 48 instances related to national affairs, 20 to international issues, 11 to sports, 14 to religion, 7 to entertainment, 5 to education, and 11 related to scams.
The majority of these incidents—606 in total—were information-based, while 220 were video-based and 99 were image-based. Among the identified cases, 620 were classified as false, 245 as distorted, and 60 as misleading.
Analyzing the identified misinformation, Rumor Scanner found that during this period, 727 instances involved men, while 133 instances targeted women. The data was further categorized into four age groups for both genders. Among men, misinformation was identified in 2 cases involving children, 128 involving youth, 156 involving middle-aged individuals, and 441 involving the elderly. Among women, the analysis identified 2 cases involving children, 55 involving youth, 41 involving middle-aged individuals, and 35 involving the elderly.
In terms of platforms, Facebook saw the highest spread of misinformation this month with 820 identified instances. Additionally, evidence of misinformation was found on Instagram (105), YouTube (40), X (17), TikTok (148), and at least 10 instances on Threads. Mainstream media in the country was not exempt from this trend, as Rumor Scanner observed misinformation being broadcast by multiple domestic media outlets in 17 separate incidents. Furthermore, 4 instances of disinformation targeting Bangladesh were identified within Indian media.
The spread of communal propaganda centered on Bangladesh has been a topic of discussion for several months, and in February, Rumor Scanner identified 12 such communal incidents. Among these, evidence was found in 8 cases that the misinformation was promoted on social media by accounts and pages identifying as Indian.
The 13th National Parliamentary Election was held last month, sparking widespread discussion. Over the past few months, the spread of disinformation surrounding this election has escalated, with 491 instances identified in February alone. During the same period, 19 instances of disinformation regarding the referendum were also detected. Altogether, from January 2025 through February of this year, Rumor Scanner has identified 1,071 pieces of disinformation related to this election.
Following the 13th National Parliamentary Election, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) formed the government after winning 212 seats. The new administration began its journey on February 17, when the party’s Chairman, Tarique Rahman, was sworn in as Prime Minister. In just the first 12 days, Rumor Scanner found evidence of 63 pieces of disinformation targeting the new government, with approximately 78% of these cases portraying the administration in a negative light. During this time, 28 instances of disinformation were observed targeting Tarique Rahman as Prime Minister, about 61% of which presented him negatively. Furthermore, Rumor Scanner identified 29 pieces of disinformation regarding the BNP government’s cabinet in February. Among them, the Minister of Local Government, Rural Development, and Co-operatives, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, was the most frequent target, appearing in 7 instances—all of which involved negative depictions.
According to observations by the Rumor Scanner team, 12 instances of misinformation were circulated in February regarding the outgoing interim government. During the same period, 29 pieces of misinformation were spread involving the outgoing Chief Adviser, Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Since taking office on August 8, 2024, Rumor Scanner has identified a total of 886 instances of misinformation targeting the interim government and its affiliated officials.
In its analysis of February’s fact-checks, Rumor Scanner identified 480 pieces of disinformation involving the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), its affiliate organizations, and its leaders. Among these, 161 instances of disinformation were spread about the BNP as a party, with nearly 84% of cases designed to create a negative impression of the group. Furthermore, 157 instances of disinformation were circulated during this time involving the party’s Chairman, Tarique Rahman, with approximately 90% presenting him in a negative light. Additionally, 21 instances of disinformation involving Chhatra Dal and 6 involving Jubo Dal were identified during this period.
In February, 264 instances of disinformation were circulated involving Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, its affiliate organizations, and its members. Among these, 135 pieces of disinformation targeted Jamaat as a party, with approximately 66% of these cases intended to create a negative impression of the organization. During the same period, 51 instances of disinformation were identified involving the party’s Ameer, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, with about 80% being negative in nature. Additionally, 36 instances of disinformation involving Shibir were spread during this time.
Additionally, in February, Rumor Scanner identified 79 instances of disinformation involving the National Citizens Party (NCP) and its members. Among these, 14 pieces of disinformation were spread about the NCP as a party, with approximately 71% of cases designed to create a negative impression of the organization. Six instances of disinformation were also identified targeting the party’s Convener, Nahid Islam, all of which were negative in nature.
Regarding the banned party Bangladesh Awami League, its affiliate and fraternal organizations, and its members, 135 instances of disinformation were circulated in February. Among these, 66 pieces of disinformation targeted the Awami League as a party, with nearly 54% of cases intended to create a positive impression of the group. Furthermore, evidence was found of 31 pieces of disinformation involving the party’s President, Sheikh Hasina, during this time, with approximately 68% of them being positive in nature.
State institutions and security forces have also not been spared from the onslaught of disinformation. In February, Rumor Scanner observed 47 instances of disinformation regarding the Bangladesh Army, including 10 targeting the Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-uz-Zaman—marking the highest number of detections involving the force in a single month. Additionally, Rumor Scanner identified 24 instances of disinformation involving the Bangladesh Police. During the same period, one instance of disinformation was observed circulating regarding the Bangladesh Navy, the Bangladesh Air Force, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB).
Analyzing the misinformation identified in February, Rumor Scanner found that 89 instances of fake content were created using artificial intelligence, 14 of which were identified as deepfakes.
Throughout the month, misinformation primarily centered around seven specific events or issues. These included 13 instances related to the Epstein Files, 12 concerning clashes between the police and Inqilab Mancha, 11 regarding the claimed hacking of Dr. Shafiqur’s X account, and 8 instances of misinformation surrounding Martyrs’ Day (Shaheed Dibash).
The misuse of media names, logos, headlines, and forged photocards is once again on the rise. In February, this method was used in 306 incidents to spread 312 pieces of misinformation, involving 47 domestic and foreign media outlets.
Issued by
- Tanvir Mahatab Abir
- Senior Fact Checker,
- Rumor Scanner Bangladesh
- [email protected]