Shafiqul Alam: Misinformation Threatens Democratic Foundations

Bangladesh’s democracy faces a critical threat from the unchecked spread of misinformation, according to Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. Speaking at a dialogue on media freedom organized by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), Alam warned that the country’s political stability could deteriorate if the next administration fails to implement effective countermeasures against false information.

“The government that takes charge must prioritize strategies to combat misinformation. Ignoring this issue could push the country toward political instability,” Alam stated during the event held Thursday at CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka.

Alam’s comments come at a pivotal moment for Bangladesh, which has experienced significant political upheaval in recent months. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, took power following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after widespread protests in August.

The press secretary provided historical context for the current media landscape, noting that press freedom in the subcontinent has fluctuated considerably since 1947. “During Ayub Khan’s era, there was considerable press freedom. After 1990, journalists enjoyed their greatest independence under the caretaker government,” he observed.

Alam acknowledged that journalism faced significant restrictions during the Awami League’s recent tenure but maintained that under Hasina’s leadership, efforts were eventually made to restore media freedoms. He emphasized that the current interim government has no intention of imposing new limitations on press freedom but raised concerns about whether future elected administrations would maintain this commitment.

The growing sophistication of misinformation campaigns in Bangladesh has become particularly alarming, according to Alam. He pointed out that even educated individuals, including university professors, are now contributing to the spread of false information.

“The extent of fabricated information circulated about Chittagong Port was unimaginable,” he said, referencing one of several recent misinformation incidents that have challenged the government. Other notable examples included false claims regarding Saint Martin’s Island and Milestone projects, which gained significant traction on social media platforms and created public confusion.

Unlike many developed nations that have established legal frameworks to combat misinformation, Bangladesh currently lacks effective regulatory mechanisms or consequences for those who knowingly spread false information. This regulatory gap has allowed misinformation to flourish across traditional and digital media channels.

“Every day, false information is shared on talk shows,” Alam noted, highlighting how the problem extends beyond social media. He revealed that the government has engaged with Meta, Facebook’s parent company, to strengthen responses to misinformation on the platform, which remains the country’s dominant social media network. However, progress in this area has been “slow and complex,” suggesting that tech platforms’ content moderation policies may not be adequately addressing Bangladesh’s specific challenges.

The press secretary’s warnings reflect growing global concern about misinformation’s impact on democratic processes. In countries across South Asia, false information has been linked to communal violence, election interference, and public health crises. Bangladesh’s vulnerability to such threats is heightened by its high population density, growing internet penetration, and complex political environment.

Media experts attending the dialogue noted that any solution would require a multi-faceted approach involving government regulation, platform accountability, media literacy programs, and support for independent fact-checking organizations. However, finding the balance between combating harmful misinformation while preserving freedom of expression remains a significant challenge.

As Bangladesh prepares for eventual elections to establish a new democratically elected government, Alam’s warnings underscore that addressing misinformation will be as crucial to the country’s democratic future as traditional electoral reforms and institutional strengthening.