Social Media Platforms Inundated with Obscenity and Disinformation

Bangladesh’s Social Media Crisis: Abuse, Misinformation Reach Alarming Levels

The deterioration of online discourse in Bangladesh has reached unprecedented levels, with experts warning of a profound impact on social values and democratic norms. Across major platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, a tidal wave of abusive commentary, obscenity, and misinformation is targeting political figures, prominent individuals, and even ordinary citizens.

Even the country’s highest state officials and their family members have not been spared from vicious online attacks. The situation has created an environment where many citizens now avoid engaging in discussions about national issues, politics, or social concerns due to fear of becoming targets themselves.

“I used to post about politics on Facebook. Now I avoid it as much as possible,” wrote researcher Mohiuddin Ahmed in a social media post last year. “The way ignorant and ill-mannered individuals swarm and troll makes one’s blood pressure rise.”

The issue extends beyond mere rudeness. According to Rumour Scanner Bangladesh, a fact-checking organization recognized by the International Fact-Checking Network, misinformation in Bangladesh increased by an alarming 136 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period last year. The organization identified 1,974 pieces of false information between January and March 2023, up from 837 during the same period last year.

Political tensions surrounding the 13th parliamentary election appear to have exacerbated the problem. Reports suggest that ahead of last year’s elections, certain political factions advised supporters to create fake Facebook accounts specifically to defame rival leaders. In response, opposing groups mobilized their own supporters to counter these attacks, creating a vicious cycle of online hostility.

Organized “bot networks” – coordinated groups of fake accounts allegedly operating with political patronage – have become increasingly sophisticated. A story published in a recent newspaper supplement titled “YouTuber,” written by a former government adviser, detailed how these networks are created and deployed to systematically damage reputations.

The consequences have been severe. In one disturbing case, a prominent individual who does not have a daughter was falsely portrayed on Facebook as having one involved in inappropriate activities. In another instance, the death announcement of a female political activist triggered a flood of obscene comments, shocking many observers who saw it as evidence of a collapse in basic social values.

Even scientific content is not immune. When a Facebook page called “Biggan Tathya” posted information about NASA’s Artemis II lunar mission featuring astronaut Christina Koch, users responded with vulgar comments about the 47-year-old scientist. The page administrator later commented that such behavior revealed a troubling societal attitude toward women.

The problem has particular implications for younger generations. A female journalist noted late last year that while abusive language is nothing new, its transformation into political sloganeering makes it especially dangerous, as such vulgar language now easily reaches children through their devices.

Dr. Shah Kawsar Mustafa Abul Ulai, former professor of philosophy at the University of Dhaka, told Kaler Kantho that while abusive language existed even during the Pakistan era, current trends have far exceeded previous boundaries.

“As a philosopher, I consider the current trend deeply harmful and unacceptable,” Dr. Ulai said. He emphasized that alongside abusive behavior and character assassination, the spread of half-truths and false information is equally damaging and unethical.

The legal system offers some recourse. Manzill Murshid, a senior lawyer, explained that even before digital platforms emerged, the Penal Code contained provisions to address defamation and insults. With the rise of digital media, laws such as the Digital Security Act were introduced, and despite amendments, relevant provisions remain available to victims seeking justice through cyber tribunals.

However, Murshid identified the prevalence of fake accounts as a major obstacle to enforcement. Many inflammatory comments come from unidentified accounts without real identities or profile images. In some cases, a single individual may operate hundreds of fake profiles while concealing their identity.

Since platforms like Facebook are operated by international companies, direct governmental intervention is limited. Users can report problematic accounts to platform authorities, who may block them after review, but the process is often slow and inconsistent.

The erosion of civil discourse raises complex questions about the boundaries between free speech and harmful content. Amid recent debates following the arrest of a political activist over allegedly offensive social media remarks, journalist Amin Al Rashid argued that no developed democratic country permits abusive or defamatory language under the guise of free speech.

As the crisis continues to unfold, experts call for collective action. Dr. Ulai has urged social thinkers, teachers, and intellectuals across the political spectrum to work together to promote civility and truthfulness in online spaces – a challenge that grows more urgent as Bangladesh’s digital landscape becomes increasingly toxic.