Combating Disinformation in the Digital Age

In the digital age, disinformation has emerged as a major challenge, affecting politics, public health, and social stability worldwide. Disinformation refers to deliberate falsehoods spread to mislead or manipulate people for political, economic, or ideological gain. Unlike misinformation, which is unintentionally incorrect, disinformation is crafted with intent and is often strategically deployed to destabilize societies, incite violence, or manipulate public opinion. On the other hand, rumors are unverified and spread due to uncertainty or curiosity.  In Bangladesh, as in many other countries, disinformation has been weaponized in political campaigns, religious conflicts, and even in governance. It is imperative to explore how disinformation affects Bangladesh and other parts of the world, providing historical and contemporary examples to illustrate its consequences.

In the modern era, information flows freely through digital platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter (X), WhatsApp, and TikTok. The power of these platforms has given people an unprecedented ability to express their thoughts, share information, and engage in global conversations. However, with this freedom comes a dangerous side effect—the uncontrolled spread of rumors, misinformation, and disinformation.

In recent times, the departure of Sheikh Hasina from power in Bangladesh has triggered a wave of disinformation campaigns, both domestically and internationally, as political transitions create opportunities for speculation and manipulation. Various groups, including Indian media reportedly backed by the government, have sought to exploit the situation by spreading misleading narratives aimed at delegitimizing the interim government led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Despite Dr. Yunus’s global recognition and contributions, these efforts include exaggerated claims of economic collapse, communal violence, and administrative instability. Reports in Indian media have portrayed Bangladesh as descending into chaos, citing unverified claims of widespread communal violence and economic collapse. Allegedly driven by an inability to accept the fall of Sheikh Hasina, India has been accused of orchestrating a systematic clandestine propaganda campaign against the interim government, with its media outlets amplifying these unverified narratives.

Reports suggesting targeted violence against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, such as India Today’s claim that Mamata Banerjee called for UN peacekeepers, were found to be exaggerated and lacking evidence. Additionally, some narratives framed the student-led protests as foreign-backed conspiracies, particularly by Pakistan’s ISI and China, exemplified by headlines like “Behind the protests: ISI conspiracy in Bangladesh to topple Sheikh Hasina & establish anti-India govt.” However, analysts largely dismissed these claims as attempts to undermine the protests’ grassroots nature.

In March 2025, U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard expressed concern over the persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh, alleging that the threat of Islamic terrorists in the country is rooted in the ideology and objective to rule and govern with an Islamist caliphate. The Bangladeshi interim government strongly refuted these claims, stating that Gabbard’s remarks were misleading and damaging to the nation’s reputation. They emphasized Bangladesh’s commitment to peace and inclusivity, highlighting its continuous efforts to combat extremism in partnership with the international community, including the United States.

This is not a new concern; several years ago, Hiranmay Karlekar’s Bangladesh: The Next Afghanistan? presented a critical perspective on the rise of Islamist extremism in Bangladesh, warning that the country could become a radical hub akin to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. However, its alarmist tone and broad generalizations oversimplified Bangladesh’s complex political landscape and the social and religious harmony upheld by its secular traditions. While Karlekar pointed to religious intolerance, radical influences, and government complacency, critics argue that he overlooked the nation’s deep-rooted secularism, resilience against extremism, and active civil society. Since its publication in 2005, his dire predictions have not materialized—Bangladesh has remained stable, achieved significant economic progress, and effectively countered terrorism. Rather than providing a nuanced analysis, Karlekar’s framing distorted reality, reinforced stereotypes, and failed to acknowledge the country’s achievements.

The most alarming was an India Today report alleging a coup plot against the interim government of Muhammad Yunus, which sparked controversy. The Bangladesh Army’s Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) swiftly dismissed the claim as entirely false, clarifying that it was based on fabricated information about a routine military meeting. The ISPR criticized the report for lacking credible sources and accused the outlet of sensationalism, referencing a similar misleading claim it had refuted in March 2025. Reaffirming its commitment to democracy and stability, the Bangladesh Army urged media outlets to uphold journalistic integrity and refrain from spreading baseless rumors. False narratives targeting the military can erode public trust, create unnecessary panic, and strain civil-military relations in a country where the armed forces play a pivotal role in national security. More than just a defensive force, the military stands as the backbone of national sovereignty, embodying discipline, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the homeland.

Amid a relentless barrage of disinformation, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, addressed the nation on the eve of this year’s Independence Day and Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. He expressed deep concern over the surge in disinformation since the interim government took office.  He warned that deliberate efforts were being made to destabilize the country through false narratives, citing instances of misattributed events and doctored images designed to incite civil unrest. Describing this as a strategic attempt by opposing forces to derail the government’s reform agenda, Dr. Yunus highlighted how unrelated photos were being manipulated and foreign events falsely presented as domestic incidents to create turmoil on social media. He alleged that highly skilled operatives, backed by vast financial resources, were orchestrating these efforts, with experienced military experts actively engaged in spreading disinformation. “Many experienced military experts are working day and night behind these rumours, unlimited money is being invested behind them. Its main goal is to thwart the July Uprising,” he stated. Calling for national unity, he urged vigilance against the opposition’s increasingly “innovative” tactics.

Many reports exaggerating or fabricating claims about Bangladesh’s new government appear to be part of a broader disinformation campaign aimed at delegitimizing the administration and shaping international perceptions. This highlights how disinformation is weaponized to serve political and geopolitical interests, benefiting certain actors while destabilizing others. The motivation behind such narratives seems rooted in concerns within Indian political circles over the leadership shift in Bangladesh, as Sheikh Hasina’s government was seen as a key ally. Her departure has triggered efforts to influence perceptions and undermine the stability of the new administration.

The spread of false narratives carries significant risks, both domestically and internationally, by eroding diplomatic trust, straining international relations, and complicating regional cooperation. Within Bangladesh, disinformation can fuel communal tensions, deepen societal divisions, incite violence, and embolden anti-state elements, distracting from real security challenges. On a broader scale, such destabilizing narratives disrupt economic stability, deter foreign investment, and damage diplomatic ties. In an era of rapid digital disinformation, the weaponization of fake news against national institutions like the military threatens democratic governance, social cohesion, and long-term peace in the South Asian region. Protecting the integrity of the armed forces is not just about rejecting lies—it is about preserving the foundation of national security and unity.

However, disinformation is not confined to Bangladesh; it is a global phenomenon that has shaped political landscapes, incited violence, and eroded trust in institutions across many nations. Moreover, disinformation is not a recent development that is tied solely to modern information technology. Throughout history, deliberate disinformation and propaganda have been used to manipulate public perception and influence events of great significance.

Historically, powerful nations have deployed disinformation to influence political outcomes in states. One such historical example is the EMS Telegram, a manipulated diplomatic communication that played a pivotal role in escalating tensions between France and Prussia, (no longer appears as a state on modern maps) ultimately leading to the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. The conflict arose when France opposed the candidacy of a Prussian prince, Leopold of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen, for the Spanish throne, fearing encirclement by Prussia. At the spa town of Bad Ems, the French ambassador, Count Benedetti, demanded assurances from King Wilhelm I of Prussia that no Hohenzollern would seek the Spanish throne. Wilhelm politely declined without hostility and reported the conversation to his chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, via telegram. Seeking to provoke France into war and unify German states, Bismarck edited the telegram to make it appear as though Wilhelm had insulted Benedetti, and the edited version, published on July 13, 1870, inflamed public opinion in both nations. France, feeling humiliated, declared war on July 19, 1870, leading to the Franco-Prussian War, which ended with a decisive Prussian victory, the fall of the French Second Empire, the fall of Napoleon III, and the unification of Germany under Prussian leadership in 1871. The EMS Telegram incident also fueled long-term Franco-German hostilities, contributing to future conflicts, including World War I.

This case remains one of history’s most well-known examples of manipulated communication leading to war. The manipulated telegram was not a rumor or misinformation but deliberate disinformation, as Bismarck intentionally distorted the message to provoke war. Unlike a rumor, which is an unverified piece of information, or misinformation, which is false but not necessarily intentional, disinformation is strategically crafted to mislead. The Ems Telegram exemplifies how manipulated information can have profound geopolitical consequences.

The Cold War era saw extensive use of propaganda by both the United States and the Soviet Union. After the end of the Cold War, disinformation has continued to play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and influencing major political and global events. One of the most striking examples was Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Russian operatives engaged in a sophisticated disinformation campaign by spreading fake news, manipulating social media platforms, and deploying bots to influence American voters. False stories, such as the infamous “Pizzagate” conspiracy, which accused Hillary Clinton of running a child-trafficking ring from a Washington, D.C. pizzeria, gained significant traction online. The primary objective of this campaign was to deepen political divisions in the United States and erode public trust in democratic institutions.

Another instance of state-backed disinformation emerged in 2022 when Russia propagated the claim that the United States was secretly operating biological weapons laboratories in Ukraine. This narrative, widely disseminated through Russian state media and social platforms, sought to justify Russia’s invasion by portraying Ukraine as a threat. However, independent investigators and international organizations debunked these allegations, exposing them as a strategic disinformation effort designed to rally support for the war.

Disinformation also played a significant role in the 2023 Hamas-Israel conflict, with both sides utilizing social media to spread misleading content. Fake videos, repurposed footage from past conflicts, and AI-generated images circulated widely, shaping global reactions to the war. These tactics fuelled outrage, heightened tensions, and made it increasingly difficult to distinguish fact from propaganda.

The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq (2003) and NATO intervention in Libya (2011), which led to the ouster of Saddam Hussein and Muammar Gaddafi, were heavily influenced by disinformation and misleading narratives. In Iraq, the justification was based on false claims that Saddam possessed weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), which were never found, along with fabricated intelligence linking him to Al-Qaeda. Similarly, NATO’s intervention in Libya was driven by exaggerated claims of genocide in Benghazi and debunked reports, such as Gaddafi distributing Viagra to encourage mass rape. In both cases, these interventions led to long-term instability—sectarian violence, the rise of ISIS in Iraq, and civil war and lawlessness in Libya—rather than the promised democracy and stability.

Disinformation has always been used as a political and military tool. While past examples involved forgeries and intelligence operations, modern disinformation spreads rapidly through digital platforms, making it harder to control. The rise of AI-generated content has further complicated the fight against false information, requiring new strategies to detect and counteract these campaigns. As a global threat, disinformation undermines democratic stability, fuels social unrest, and endangers public health. Bangladesh, like many other nations, has witnessed its damaging effects, including political manipulation, communal disharmony, and public panic, highlighting the urgent need for effective countermeasures.

Combating disinformation requires a comprehensive approach that integrates legal, technological, and educational strategies. Governments and law enforcement agencies must enforce strict regulations to penalize the deliberate spread of false information, as seen in countries like Germany, where laws target fake news on digital platforms. Technology companies play a crucial role by deploying advanced algorithms and moderation measures on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to flag or remove deceptive content, though their effectiveness remains debated. Fact-checking initiatives such as BBC Fact Check, Snopes, and BOOM Live in India help verify misleading claims and curb the spread of falsehoods. Equally important are media literacy programs that educate citizens on identifying false narratives, reducing susceptibility to disinformation. Collaboration among international organizations, civil society, and the private sector further strengthens efforts to track and mitigate disinformation campaigns. A proactive strategy—integrating stringent policies, advanced digital tools, and public awareness—is crucial for safeguarding stability, sovereignty, and democratic resilience. Tackling this crisis demands global cooperation, technological intervention, and informed citizenry. Without decisive action, disinformation will persist, eroding trust, inciting violence, and undermining national stability.

Disinformation has long been a tool for political and ideological manipulation, but its impact has grown exponentially in the digital age. From historical cases like the Ems Telegram to contemporary disinformation campaigns influencing elections, wars, and international relations, the consequences of fake narratives are profound. In Bangladesh, the use of disinformation to destabilize governance and incite social unrest underscores the urgent need for robust countermeasures. Governments, media organizations, and technology platforms must collaborate to regulate content, promote digital literacy, and strengthen fact-checking initiatives. Combating disinformation requires a multi-pronged approach that includes legal frameworks, technological advancements, and public education. Without decisive action, the proliferation of falsehoods will continue to erode trust, incite violence, and undermine democracy. The battle against disinformation is not just about exposing lies—it is about protecting the very fabric of social stability and truth in an increasingly interconnected world.

Dr Md Motiar Rahman

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