SACMID has been monitoring fake news, fact-checked by different websites, since November 1, 2023, after developing a monitoring tool. In the month of July 2024, SACMID monitored 308 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 170 instances of mis-/disinformation and rumor while revealing the facts behind them. There were 44 fact-checks covered by Fact Watch and 42 by Boom Bangladesh. Ajker Patrika also made a substantial contribution by covering 39 fact-checks.
63% of the false news or rumors were about National events and 9% were Sports related news. Aside from these topics, the majority of other fake news is about entertainment and international news which is about 8% and 7%. Most of the national news is about the fake news regarding the Anti-quota movement.
Out of the 308 fake news stories, SACMID selected a single, notable fact check from Ajker Patrika, which was released on July 31, 2024.
The news is: বাংলাদেশ সেনাবাহিনীকে জাতিসংঘের শান্তিরক্ষা মিশন থেকে বাদ দেয়া হয়েছে