SACMID began monitoring fake news, fact-checked by leading websites on November 1, 2023, after developing a monitoring tool. In continuation of this, SACMID tracked 353 instances of fake news in Bangladesh in the month of December from 5 fact-checking websites namely Rumor Scanner, Boom Bangladesh, Fact Watch, Dismislab, and Ajker Patrika. Among these, Rumor Scanner was the most active fact-checking website, identifying 215 instances of mis-/disinformation and rumor while revealing the facts behind them. Fact Watch and Boom Bangladesh both covered 49 and 52 fact-checks, respectively. Ajker Patrika contributed significantly as well, covering 33 fact-checks.
As the 12th National Election is knocking on the door, 48% of the false news or rumors were about Politics & the upcoming Election. 8% were National, and 11% were International news. Apart from these subjects, the majority of other fake news is about sports, 8%, and education, 7%.
Among the 353 fake news stories, SACMID selected a single, notable fact check from Rumour Scanner, which was released on December 28.
The news is: নির্বাচনে বিনা প্রতিদ্বন্দ্বিতায় জয়ী হওয়ার বিষয়ে প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনার নামে ভুয়া বক্তব্য প্রচার