Fact-Checking Report: Misleading Videos on Religious Topics Lack Context, Spread Misinformation

In an era where digital information flows unchecked, experts are warning about the pervasive threat of misinformation, particularly as Bangladesh approaches its upcoming general election. According to media analyst Suman Rahman, the manipulation of information has become a year-round concern that intensifies during electoral periods.

“Disinformation and misinformation circulate all the time,” Rahman explained in a recent interview. “One of the biggest techniques used to spread false information is decontextualisation.”

Rahman highlighted how seemingly factual information can be weaponized by removing it from its original context. “What is being quoted or claimed may be factually correct, but it was originally said in a different context and with a different meaning. When it is cut out and presented separately, the context changes—and so does the meaning,” he said.

This practice of decontextualizing information has become increasingly sophisticated in Bangladesh’s political landscape, where digital media plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion. Social media platforms have become battlegrounds for competing narratives, with political parties and their supporters racing to control the information environment.

Rahman characterized the current political climate as “propaganda warfare,” noting that the stakes are particularly high during election seasons. “During elections, every speech at public rallies, every movement of candidates, is closely monitored and recorded,” he observed.

Political campaigns in Bangladesh have evolved significantly over the past decade, with digital strategies now complementing traditional rallies and canvassing. Campaign budgets increasingly allocate substantial resources to online messaging and counter-messaging operations.

“Significant investment is made in election-time campaigning,” Rahman said. “With the election approaching, propagandists are making every possible effort to strike at their opponents by any means.”

This trend mirrors global concerns about information integrity during elections. Since 2016, when disinformation campaigns affected major elections in several countries, electoral authorities and civil society organizations worldwide have become increasingly vigilant about false information.

In Bangladesh, the issue is particularly complex due to high internet penetration rates coupled with relatively low digital literacy. According to recent data from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, the country has over 120 million internet users, with the majority accessing online content through mobile devices.

Media literacy experts suggest that the rapid adoption of digital technology has outpaced the development of critical information consumption skills among the general population, creating fertile ground for misinformation campaigns.

Several fact-checking initiatives have emerged in response, including efforts by both established media outlets and independent organizations to verify claims made during the campaign period. However, these efforts face significant challenges in keeping pace with the volume and velocity of information being shared.

The impact of misinformation extends beyond electoral outcomes, potentially affecting social cohesion and public trust in institutions. Previous election cycles in Bangladesh have seen false information contribute to community tensions and, in some cases, violence.

As the election approaches, media watchdogs and election observers have called for greater transparency from political campaigns about their digital messaging strategies. They also urge platforms to enhance their content moderation practices during sensitive political periods.

For voters navigating this complex information landscape, Rahman and other experts recommend verifying information across multiple credible sources before sharing content online, and maintaining awareness of how context can change the meaning of statements and images.

The challenge of maintaining information integrity during elections represents a critical test for Bangladesh’s democratic institutions and its increasingly digital citizenry in the weeks ahead.