BanglaFact, a fact-check and media research team of the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB), has detected “BD Digest”, which operates under the guise of a news site, as essentially a platform for spreading propaganda of Awami League (AL), whose activities have been banned.
BanglaFact stated BD Digest is a propaganda machine used for partisan promotion of the AL, manufacturing conspiracy theories and spreading disinformation. It is operated under the guise of a news site by Canada-based Awami League activist Kazi Mamun.
According to observations by BanglaFact’s investigative team, “Although it presents itself as a news site, BD Digest is essentially a political propaganda platform of the Awami League. Its main purpose is to conduct organized political campaigns in favour of the Awami League. The website contains almost all the components of a typical news portal: politics, economy, entertainment, and even a separate section for sports. Since its photo cards are professionally designed, many readers assume it is a regular news outlet and share its content. Moreover, Awami League leaders and activists, including Sajeeb Wazed Joy, are often seen sharing BD Digest ‘news’ regularly. Since its fall following the July 2024 mass uprising, the Awami League has chosen propaganda and misinformation as its primary tools. As part of this, numerous Facebook pages and websites are being operated. BD Digest is another such propaganda machine of the same nature.”
Fact-checking organizations have found evidence that since last year, the spread of rumours and fake information involving Bangladesh—especially targeting the interim government and the parties and organizations that took part in the 2024 mass uprising- has increased through Indian media, various social media platforms operated from India, as well as several Facebook accounts within the country.
BanglaFact, a Bangladeshi fact-checking organization, has identified hundreds of pieces of false information circulating online. BanglaFact continues to play its role in countering rumours, fake news, and misinformation in Bangladesh, and in ensuring that accurate information reaches the public.
