Surge in Misinformation Threatens National Unity and Security, Warns Citizen’s Forum

Civil society leaders in Bangladesh have issued an urgent warning about the growing threat of online misinformation, describing it as a serious risk to the country’s stability and national security.

At a discussion organized by Citizen’s Forum Bangladesh (CFB) on Monday, experts highlighted how false narratives are spreading at alarming rates across social media platforms. The event, titled “False Narratives, Propaganda and Disunity: Threats to Stability, National Security and Unity,” brought together academics, researchers, and student leaders to address the escalating problem.

Speakers at the forum pointed to several recent periods of instability where misinformation campaigns have been particularly prevalent, including during the ongoing fuel crisis, episodes of student political activism, and in post-election periods.

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof Mamun Ahmed expressed particular concern about the vulnerability of university environments to coordinated disinformation campaigns. “If the spread of misinformation in university areas is not stopped, the country will become unstable once again. It is propaganda alone that has turned these campuses volatile,” Prof Ahmed warned.

The discussion highlighted a critical gap in institutional response capabilities. Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), emphasized that current fact-checking mechanisms are woefully inadequate compared to the speed at which false information circulates online.

Kabir cited a recent example where false claims about Bangladesh Bank printing money to fund government operations took seven days to officially refute. “In that prolonged interval, a large number of people had already accepted the fabrication as fact. We cannot afford such delays; misinformation must be countered instantly,” he explained.

This incident illustrates a growing challenge for Bangladesh’s financial stability. When misinformation about central banking operations spreads unchecked, it can potentially undermine public confidence in economic institutions and create unnecessary market volatility at a time when the country is navigating complex economic challenges.

The problem extends beyond academic and economic spheres into political discourse. Abidul Islam Khan, Joint General Secretary of Dhaka University’s Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal student organization, claimed that political actors who previously operated behind the scenes are now conducting overt propaganda campaigns.

“Those who once called us oppressed in July are now branding us oppressors. These are bot pages, systematically tarnishing our reputation,” Khan stated. He warned that legitimate political activity could become impossible if systematic propaganda campaigns continue unabated.

Bangladesh has previously sought international assistance to combat digital misinformation. In recent months, the government approached the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for technical support in addressing the issue, acknowledging the transnational nature of online disinformation networks.

The problem is particularly acute in Bangladesh, where internet penetration has grown rapidly in recent years. The country now has over 120 million internet users, with social media platforms becoming primary news sources for many citizens. This digital transformation has created fertile ground for misinformation to flourish, especially during periods of political or economic uncertainty.

CFB Chairman M Anwarullah Chowdhury, who presided over the event, concluded with a call for unity, urging all stakeholders to reject falsehoods, embrace truth, and promote principled politics in the national interest.

Experts suggest that addressing Bangladesh’s misinformation crisis will require a multi-faceted approach, including media literacy programs, stronger regulatory frameworks, faster institutional response mechanisms, and cooperation between government, civil society, and technology platforms. Without such comprehensive measures, the country faces the prospect of increasing polarization and potential instability fueled by unchecked digital falsehoods.