SACMID has been monitoring fake news, fact-checked by different websites, since November 1, 2023, after developing a monitoring tool. In the month of September 2024, SACMID monitored 422 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 252 instances of mis-/disinformation and rumor while revealing the facts behind them. There were 58 fact-checks covered by Fact Watch and 60 by Boom Bangladesh. Ajker Patrika also made a substantial contribution by covering 40 fact-checks.
73% of the false news or rumors were about National events. Most of the national news is about the fake news regarding Chief Adviser’s UNGA visit, false news regarding former Prime Minister, and religious issues.
Out of the 422 fake news stories, SACMID selected a single, notable fact check from, Rumor Scanner which was released on September 30, 2024.
The news is : অন্তর্বর্তী সরকারের প্রধান উপদেষ্টাসহ সকল উপদেষ্টাদের গ্রেফতারের দাবিতে রাষ্ট্রপতির নামে ভুয়া আদেশপত্র প্রচার