SACMID has been monitoring fake news, fact-checked by different websites, since November 1, 2023, after developing a monitoring tool.
In the month of May 2024, SACMID monitored 368 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 234 instances of mis-/disinformation and rumor while revealing the facts behind them.
There were 30 fact-checks covered by Fact Watch and 45 by Boom Bangladesh. Ajker Patrika also made a substantial contribution by covering 50 fact-checks.
34% of the false news or rumors were about National events and 20% were international news. Aside from these topics, the majority of other fake news is about entertainment, religion, and AI-related deep false news, which together account for 8%.
Out of the 368 fake news stories, SACMID selected a single, notable fact check from Ajker Patrika, which was released on May 31, 2024.
The news is: ঘূর্ণিঝড়, বন্যার কারণে এইচএসসি পরীক্ষা পিছিয়ে ৩০ জুলাই¬ – এমন সিদ্ধান্ত হয়নি
