SACMID has been monitoring fake news, fact-checked by different websites, since November 1, 2023, after developing a monitoring tool. In the month of April 2024, SACMID monitored 365 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 209 instances of mis-/disinformation and rumor while revealing the facts behind them.
There were 40 fact-checks covered by Fact Watch and 51 by Boom Bangladesh. Ajker Patrika also made a substantial contribution by covering 50 fact-checks.
40% of the false news or rumors were about National events and 25% were international news.
Apart from these subjects, the majority of other fake news is about religious 9% and politics 7%. Out of the 365 fake news stories, SACMID selected a single, notable fact check from Rumor Scanner, which was released on April 30, 2024.
The news is: বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংকের রিজার্ভ আবারও চুরি হওয়ার দাবিটি মিথ্যা
