SACMID has been monitoring fake news, fact-checked by different websites, since November 1, 2023, after developing a monitoring tool. In the month of June 2024, SACMID monitored 338 cases of false information in Bangladesh from 5 fact-checking websites: Rumor Scanner, Boom Bangladesh, Fact Watch, Dismislab, and Ajker Patrika.
Among these, Rumor Scanner was the most active fact-checking website, identifying 202 instances of mis-/disinformation and rumor while revealing the facts behind them. There were 44 fact-checks covered by Fact Watch and 45 by Boom Bangladesh. Ajker Patrika also made a substantial contribution by covering 40 fact-checks.
42% of the false news or rumors were about National events and 15% were Sports related news. Aside from these topics, the majority of other fake news is about international news which is about 12%. Most of the national news is about a “killing spree” of different snacks, falsely claiming they contained Russell’s Vipers.
Out of the 338 fake news stories, SACMID selected a single, notable fact check from Ajker Patrika, which was released on June 26, 2024.
The news is: ‘রাসেলস ভাইপার’ বলে মারা হচ্ছে ভিন্ন প্রজাতির সাপ
