Fake Photocards and AI-Generated Content Drive Surge in Misinformation, Threatening Social Cohesion

Bangladesh’s social media landscape has transformed into a dangerous “information battlefield” where fake news, doctored images, and AI-generated content proliferate at an alarming rate. What began as supposed entertainment has evolved into a sophisticated propaganda machine threatening the nation’s social fabric and democratic institutions.

Investigations reveal that widely accessible technology and design tools like Canva and Photoshop have democratized the creation of deceptive content. Anyone with basic technical skills can now produce convincing fake news cards, manipulated images, and even AI-generated videos that mimic legitimate media outlets within minutes.

The phenomenon has spawned hundreds of Facebook pages, YouTube channels, and online platforms that deliberately mimic established news organizations. These impersonators use identical logos, color schemes, and typography to create an immediate sense of legitimacy, making it nearly impossible for average citizens to distinguish between authentic news and fabrications.

“We see a massive rise in anonymous dissemination of misleading information on social media,” said Dhaka University Criminology Assistant Professor Md. Rezaul Karim Sohag. “Perpetrators know a large segment believes without verification, and authorities must take effective action to ensure punishment for cybercrime.”

Political operatives have weaponized this ecosystem. In October, a page called “Sheikh Hasina’s Soldier” circulated a fraudulent photocard using the Iqbal TV logo claiming, “Awami League faces no barrier in elections – Election High Commissioner.” Fact-checkers later confirmed no such statement was ever made by election officials.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) recently accused opponents of creating an AI-generated video that spliced old footage of Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir with synthesized audio to make it appear he was announcing MP candidates for the upcoming national election.

The targets extend beyond politics. On November 3, Dhaka University Public Administration teacher Shehrin Amin Bhuiya Monami filed a police case after discovering edited obscene images of herself online with vulgar and defamatory comments. According to sources, left-leaning female academics, students, and activists frequently face similar cyberbullying campaigns.

“The most dangerous aspect is creating an unethical generation where lies and half-truths gain importance, while real crimes hide,” explained Dr. Sajjad Siddiqui, Chair of Peace and Conflict Studies. “In the Indian subcontinent, people haven’t culturally learned where to stop with metaphorical or AI content.”

The proliferation of misinformation stems from several interconnected factors: unrestricted internet access without corresponding media literacy education, political opportunism, economic instability, inadequate law enforcement, and perceived government indifference to the problem.

Dr. Siddiqui argues that economic and educational failures have created a vulnerable population susceptible to manipulation. “We failed to provide jobs and good living to a large segment. Most spreaders lack social security, employability, accountability, and are economically vulnerable. They use political slogans for benefit, spreading disinformation to weaken rivals and gain status.”

The crisis has severely damaged public trust in legitimate news sources. When mainstream media logos are consistently appropriated for false content, citizens become increasingly cynical about all information sources. Journalism Professor Dr. Md. Mofizur Rahman noted, “When misinformation/disinformation spreads widely and is later proven false, mainstream media loses trust. People may think all sources are similar.”

Experts recommend a multi-pronged approach to combat the problem: implementing national content filtering systems, strengthening law enforcement for digital crimes, and launching comprehensive media literacy programs from urban centers down to rural union councils.

“Technology will advance; we must provide access, education, and progress society through it,” said Dr. Rahman. “But we need to assess how aware smartphone and internet users are of the dangers of spreading misinformation. Awareness is lacking.”

Without immediate intervention, Bangladesh risks further erosion of its information ecosystem, potentially destabilizing political discourse and deepening social divisions in an already polarized society.