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Synthetic Media Observatory: A New Frontier in Digital Truth

By
Zulker Naeen
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0
Synthetic Media
Synthetic Media Observatory
Synthetic Media
Synthetic Media Observatory – Institutional Profile

The Synthetic Media Observatory emerged in 2025 as a response to the exponential growth of AI-generated content across digital platforms. Recognising that synthetic media—ranging from deepfake videos to AI-generated text—poses unprecedented challenges to information integrity, democratic discourse, and social trust, a consortium of leading researchers, technologists, and policy experts established this groundbreaking research organisation.

The Observatory’s mission centres on three core pillars: advancing detection capabilities, fostering media literacy, and informing ethical policy frameworks.

Legal Name
Synthetic Media Observatory (SMO)

Year of Establishment
2025

Founders / Founding Members
Established by a consortium of leading researchers, technologists, and policy experts concerned with the rise of AI-generated content and its risks to democracy, trust, and information integrity.

Founding Purpose
To respond to the exponential growth of synthetic media by focusing on:

  1. Advancing detection and authentication technologies
  2. Fostering media literacy
  3. Informing ethical policy frameworks

Place of Origin
Dhaka, Bangladesh

Original Structure
Founded as an independent research consortium/observatory, functioning as a nonprofit, interdisciplinary research body.

Vision Over Time
While the initial mission centred on detection and policy engagement, the Observatory has expanded into preventive technologies, economic impact studies, and democratic resilience initiatives.

Notable Leaders

Zulker Naeen and Rezwan Islam

Governance Structure

Operates under a multidisciplinary board of directors with five interconnected research divisions. Governance emphasises collaborative partnerships across academia, civil society, and industry.

Strategic Priorities

Looking ahead, the Observatory will expand its focus areas:

  • Preventive Technologies: Developing provenance systems that embed authenticity markers at the point of content creation
  • Economic Impact Analysis: Quantifying the costs of synthetic media proliferation across industries and regions
  • Democratic Resilience: Partnering with electoral commissions and civil society groups to protect democratic processes from synthetic media manipulation

Geographic Reach
Plans for regional observatories in the Asia-Pacific.

Affiliations/Partnerships in History

  • Academic institutions (e.g., University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, FactWatch, Engage Media)
  • Law enforcement collaboration
  • Technology and media industry partnerships

Funding Sources
Mix of research grants, institutional partnerships, philanthropic foundations, and industry collaborations.

Community
Initially perceived as a niche research body, it has quickly gained recognition as a leading global authority on synthetic media.

Legacy or Cultural Significance
The Observatory stands as a first-of-its-kind global hub for tackling the synthetic media crisis. Its work has direct cultural and democratic significance, preserving digital truth, information integrity, and public trust in an era where real and fake are increasingly indistinguishable.

Grassroots Model to Counter Misinformation: A Community-Centered Movement

By
Zulker Naeen
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0
Grassroots
FactWatch

In an age where misinformation spreads faster than truth, empowering communities with the right tools and knowledge is no longer optional—it’s essential. FactWatch, Bangladesh’s IFCN-certified fact-checking platform, in collaboration with The Centre for Critical and Qualitative Studies (CQS) at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), has launched the country’s first grassroots model to combat misinformation at the community level.

Introducing Connecting Communities: Empowering Bangladesh Against Misinformation—a pioneering initiative designed to build digitally aware, critically thinking, and resilient communities capable of identifying and challenging digital falsehoods from the ground up.

It is a movement—rooted in local contexts, driven by local voices, and built for national impact. It is Bangladesh’s first systemic approach to fight misinformation from within the heart of communities, towns, and villages, instead of top-down messaging.

🚀 The Model in Action: Key Components

✅ Community Fact-Check Circles:
These are local clusters formed to detect, verify, and challenge misinformation that circulates through word-of-mouth, social media, and messaging apps. Trained members work collaboratively to promote verified narratives and spread awareness at the neighbourhood level.

✅ Youth Digital Ambassador Program:
This initiative taps into the power of youth leadership by recruiting and training young volunteers across Bangladesh. These ambassadors act as frontline defenders, promoting digital literacy, fact-checking skills, and ethical online engagement in their schools, colleges, and communities.

✅ Community Misinformation Hotline:
A direct and accessible channel where citizens can report suspicious content or seek guidance. Operated in partnership with FactWatch’s verification team, this hotline empowers the public to question and challenge misleading narratives.

👉 Be part of the solution. Follow, share, and join us:
🔗 Facebook Group: Empowering Bangladesh
🔗 LinkedIn: Empowering Bangladesh

#ConnectingCommunities #StopMisinformation #DigitalLiteracy #EmpowerWithFacts #ResilientBangladesh #CommunityResilience

Working Portfolio of Zulker Naeen

By
Zulker Naeen
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0
Journalism
Articles By Zulker Naeen A Portfolio of Freelance Journalism

Zulker Naeen is a research enthusiast and freelance journalist specializing in environmental and climate change issues. His reporting focuses on climate change-induced food insecurity, natural disasters, and migration. As a citizen of one of the most climate-vulnerable nations, he collaborates with Climate Tracker to report on climate resiliency for vulnerable women and access to climate finance. He is also involved in the Climate Tracker South Asia network, enhancing environmental consciousness among youth. ​

In addition to his journalism, Naeen is a certified trainer in climate change communication, having completed the “Train the Trainer: Effective Climate Change Communication” program. This certification enables him to design and deliver climate change journalism courses. ​

However, his working portfolio demonstrates his expertise in climate change journalism, digital literacy, misinformation research, fact-checking, sustainable development, and policy analysis. His engagements highlight a commitment to strengthening media accountability, empowering grassroots communities, and fostering informed policymaking across South Asia.

Portfolio: Recent Projects, Engagements and Roles

Resilient Voices: Tackling Disinformation, Fostering Digital Literacy, & Fact-Checking in Bangladesh

This program empowers grassroots communities, strengthens media accountability, and combats misinformation by fostering digital and media literacy. Aligned with PERI’s mission, it promotes adaptive, inclusive governance in Bangladesh through locally-led solutions that enhance transparency and resilience against false narratives.

Roles: Lead Researcher & Project Coordinator

TekSHOI Media Fellowship: Empowering Grassroots and Solutions Journalism in Cox’s Bazar

By leveraging digital learning tools and expert-led training, the TekSHOI Media Fellowship will equip local journalists with essential skills in ethical journalism, fact-checking, climate reporting, geopolitics, and advanced storytelling. This program aims to amplify underrepresented voices and foster responsible storytelling that drives positive change.

Roles: Project Coordinator & Subject Matter Expert

Formation of the South Asia Regional Fact-checking Alliance (SARFA)

SARFA is a collaborative platform that brings together fact-checkers, media organizations, civil society groups, and technology partners from South Asian countries. The alliance aims to address misinformation and disinformation challenges, especially those that transcend borders, foster regional cooperation to promote digital literacy and truth in media, and guide South Asian nations towards a safe information ecosystem.  

Roles: Special Envoy, Regional Strategy, South Asia Regional Fact-Checking Alliance (SARFA)

Nomadic Narratives: The Cross-Border Spread of Misinformation in South Asia

South Asia’s first-ever network symposium on cross-border misinformation, titled “Nomadic Narratives: The Cross-Border Spread of Misinformation in South Asia” at Dhaka, led by the Center for Critical and Qualitative Studies (CQS) in collaboration with CMR-Nepal and SLPI Sri Lanka, supported by the Asia Foundation (TAF). This symposium brought together prominent scholars, media professionals, policymakers, and regional stakeholders to discuss the escalating issue of cross-border misinformation and its social, cultural, and political impact across South Asia.

Roles: Convenor and Project Coordinator

Countering Misinformation and Hate Speech in South Asia: Towards a South Asian Strategy

This research project aims to address the pervasive issue of misinformation in the South Asian region. This initiative seeks to develop a comprehensive strategy to combat misinformation by understanding its patterns, agents, channels, and impacts across South Asia.

Role: Research Coordinator

Securing Green Transition of the Textile and Readymade Garments Sector in Bangladesh

This program has planned to explore barriers to green transformation, review existing fiscal measures,
and identify best practices suitable for green transformations in the textile and ready-made garments sector. It aims to build evidence on how green transition in this industry will generate new opportunities to benefit firms, workers, the economy and society.

Roles: Project Coordinator and Stakeholder Manager

Enterprise Survey to Identify the Construction Industry’s Business and Employment Growth in Bangladesh

This study has analyzed the growth in business and employment within Bangladesh’s construction industry. Funded by the Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance, this survey is coordinated by the Construction Industry Skills Council (CISC), which represents construction professionals, and the National Coordination Committee for Workers Education (NCCWE), which represents construction workers.

Roles: Quantitative Researcher & Data Visualizer


Fifty Years of Bangladesh: Retrospect and Prospect

A virtual international conference, in collaboration with the South Asia Program of Cornell University, to
celebrate the golden jubilee of the independence of Bangladesh, which explored the developments in
different sectors—politics, economy, society and culture.

Role: Assistant Project Coordinator

Bangladesh in 2041: Notions and Narratives of Diversification and Transformation

An international conference, “Bangladesh in 2041: notions and narratives of diversification and transformation”, has comprised 14 thematically organized panel discussions accommodated within four sessions.

Roles: Conference Coordinator

Publications: Climate Change and Environmental Justice

Title: The hidden cost of water scarcity in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Link: https://globalvoices.org/2025/03/07/the-hidden-cost-of-water-scarcity-in-coxs-bazar-bangladesh/

Date: March 7, 2025 | Publisher: GlobalVoices

Title: Drastic Groundwater Depletion In Cox’s Bazar: Struggles Of Host And Rohingya Communities – Analysis

Link: https://www.eurasiareview.com/10032025-drastic-groundwater-depletion-in-coxs-bazar-struggles-of-host-and-rohingya-communities-analysis/

Date: March 10, 2025 | Publisher: Eurasiareview

Title: A Harsh Reality of Bangladesh: Water Security, Salinity Intrusion, And Internal Migration – OpEd

Link: https://www.eurasiareview.com/30042018-a-harsh-reality-of-bangladesh-water-security-salinity-intrusion-and-internal-migration-oped/

Date: April 30, 2018 | Publisher: Eurasiareview

Title: No alternatives to halt betting on dirty coal! – Views

Link: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/views/views/no-alternatives-to-halt-betting-on-dirty-coal-1516808313

Date: Jan 24, 2018 | Publisher: The Financial Express

Title: Climate change: Insurance for ‘Loss and Damage’ is a puzzle- Views

Link: https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/views/views/climate-change-insurance-for-loss-and-damage-is-a-puzzle-1512911515

Date: Dec 10, 2017 | Publisher: Dhaka Tribune

Title: Bangladesh: Balanced Energy Mix May Establish Energy Democracy- OpEd

Link: https://www.eurasiareview.com/15022018-bangladesh-balanced-energy-mix-may-establish-energy-democracy-oped/

Date: Feb 15, 2018 | Publisher: Eurasiareview

Title: Climate Migration and Health Hazards in Bangladesh- Analysis

Link:https://www.eurasiareview.com/28102017-climate-migration-and-health-hazards-in-bangladesh-analysis/

Date: Oct 28, 2017 | Publisher: Eurasiareview

Title: Is solar irrigation a groundbreaking success for Bangladesh? -Article

Link: https://www.dhakatribune.com/epaper/127905/is-solar-irrigation-a-groundbreaking-success-for

Date: Oct 11, 2017 | Publisher: Dhaka Tribune

Title: Renewable energy: Huge Potentials-Opinion

Link: https://thehimalayantimes.com/opinion/renewable-energy-huge-potentials

Date: Oct 06, 2017 | Publisher: The Himalayan Times 

Title: Bet on Coal threatens heritage-Opinion

Link: https://www.talkafrica.co.ke/bet-coal-threatens-heritage/

Date: August 3, 2017 | Publisher: Talk Africa

Title: Unclear Financing Mechanisms Noted During Recent Climate Talks In Germany

Link: http://www.talkafrica.co.ke/unclear-financing-mechanisms-noted-recent-climate-talks-germany/

Date: December 11, 2017 | Publisher: Talk Africa

Title: Sending the wrong signals- Magazine

Link: https://www.dhakatribune.com/magazine/weekend-tribune/24461/sending-the-wrong-signals

Date: Jul 12, 2017 | Publisher: Dhaka Tribune

Title: Towards Renewable Energy: Nepal and Bangladesh-Article

Link: https://naturekhabar.com/en/archives/6698

Date: Oct 5, 2017 | Publisher: Nature Khabar

Title: Success On Solar Irrigation System in Bangladesh Yet To Achieve

Link: https://perspectivebd.com/archives/1722

Date: Oct 2, 2017 | Publisher: Perspective Bangladesh

Title: Climate Migration and Health Hazards In Bangladesh- Analysis

Link: https://www.eurasiareview.com/28102017-climate-migration-and-health-hazards-in-bangladesh-analysis/

Date: Oct 28, 2027 | Publisher: Eurasiareview

Title: Food Security in Doubt: Current Phase of Bangladesh-OpEd

Link: https://www.eurasiareview.com/04112017-food-security-in-doubt-current-phase-of-bangladesh-oped/

Date: Nov 4, 2017 | Publisher: Eurasiareview

Title: Bangladesh: Natural Solutions To Battle Climate Change- OpEd

Link: https://www.eurasiareview.com/14032018-bangladesh-natural-solutions-to-battle-climate-change-oped/#comment-693560

Date: March 14, 2018 | Publisher: Eurasiareview

Publications: Misinformation, Disinformation and other Contemporary Issues

Breaking borders: Tackling misinformation in South Asia together

Link: https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/363478/breaking-borders-tackling-misinformation-in-south

https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/363478/breaking-borders-tackling-misinformation-in-south

Date: 29 October 2024 | Publisher: Dhaka Tribune

How should states combat misinformation?

https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/362715/how-should-states-combat-misinformation

Date: 22 October 2024 | Publisher: Dhaka Tribune

Weaponizing misinformation: How women become targets in times of conflict

https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/358307/weaponizing-misinformation-how-women-become

Date: 23 September 2024 | Publisher: Dhaka Tribune

Title: Why the misinformation?

Link: https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/356219/why-the-misinformation

Date: 27 Aug 2024 | Publisher: Dhaka Tribune

Title: Weaponizing misinformation: How women become targets in times of conflict

Link: https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/358307/weaponizing-misinformation-how-women-become

Date: 13 September 2024 | Publisher: Dhaka Tribune

Title: Gendered Misinformation

Link: https://www.newagebd.net/post/opinion/245465/gendered-misinformation

Date: 18 September 2024 | Publisher: New Age

Title: Beacon of Inspiration in South Asia

Link: https://www.newagebd.net/post/opinion/243103/beacon-of-inspiration-in-south-asia

Date: 21 August 2024 | Publisher: New Age

Title: Anti-India Sentiment on Rise: A Warning Sign of Misleading Narratives – OpEd

Link: https://www.eurasiareview.com/20082024-anti-india-sentiment-on-rise-a-warning-sign-of-misleading-narratives-oped/

Date:  August 20, 2024 | Publisher: Eurasiareview

Title: Youth-Led Uprisings in South Asia

Link: https://www.daily-sun.com/post/764033

Date: 27 August 2024 | Publisher: Daily Sun

Title: Impacts of Bangladesh’s uprisings on neighboring countries

Link: https://www.observerbd.com/news/488681

Date: September 5, 2024 | Publisher: Daily Observer

Title: Unmasking the cricket rumour mill-Views

Link: https://www.tbsnews.net/sports/unmasking-cricket-rumour-mill-845656

Date: May 07, 2024 | Publisher: The Business Standard

Title: A different sort of foul play- OpEd

Link: https://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/345579/a-different-sort-of-foul-play

Date: May 04, 2024 | Publisher: Dhaka Tribune

Title: A Harsh Reality of Bangladesh: Water Security, Salinity Intrusion, And Internal Migration – OpEd

Link: https://www.eurasiareview.com/30042018-a-harsh-reality-of-bangladesh-water-security-salinity-intrusion-and-internal-migration-oped/

Date: April 30, 2018 | Publisher: Eurasiareview

Author’s Profile

Global Voices [https://globalvoices.org/author/zulkernaeen]

Eurasiareview [https://www.eurasiareview.com/author/zulker-naeen]

Dhaka Tribune [https://www.dhakatribune.com/author/zulker-naeen]

Financial Express [https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/reporter/zulker-naeen]

Others

Changemakers for Climate Adaptation

By
Zulker Naeen
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0
Changemakers
Empowering the Next Generation of Climate Leaders

Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it is a lived reality for millions of people, particularly in vulnerable regions like Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. While the region has gained international attention due to the Rohingya refugee crisis, the environmental challenges faced by host communities remain largely overlooked. Water scarcity, rising salinity, and agricultural decline are making life increasingly difficult for local residents. Urgent action is needed—but sustainable solutions must come from those who understand the challenges firsthand.

This is where Changemakers for Climate Adaptation step in. This initiative is designed to equip young people with the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to drive effective, locally-led climate solutions. By empowering youth as agents of change, we aim to create a ripple effect—one where communities take ownership of their adaptation strategies and work collaboratively toward a more resilient future.

Building Green Skills for the Global South

The project focuses on the Training of Trainers (ToT), ensuring that knowledge doesn’t stay confined to a single workshop or classroom but spreads across communities, creating a sustainable impact. Through a carefully designed curriculum, participants will gain hands-on experience in:

✅ Community-Centric Climate Adaptation: Understanding how environmental challenges intersect with social and economic factors.
✅ Project Design and Management: Equipping changemakers with the skills to develop, fund, and implement impactful initiatives.
✅ Evidence-Based Decision-Making: Using data and research to inform climate policies and strategies.
✅ Stakeholder Engagement: Building strong collaborations between local communities, policymakers, and organizations.
✅ Environmental Stewardship & Gender Sensitivity: Ensuring inclusive, sustainable, and equitable solutions.

Why Cox’s Bazar?

Cox’s Bazar sits at the crossroads of climate change, displacement, and socio-political instability. While much attention is given to humanitarian aid for refugees, the host communities face extreme environmental hardships. This project seeks to amplify their voices, equipping local youth, students, and early-career professionals with the tools they need to lead climate resilience efforts.

One of the key focus areas is water security—addressing how rising sea levels, over-extraction of groundwater, and salinity intrusion are making freshwater increasingly inaccessible. Understanding these challenges will enable participants to design context-specific adaptation strategies that are not only practical but also sustainable.

How We’re Making a Difference

🌿 Engaging 20+ Youth Participants: The program will be accessible through an online learning platform, ensuring a broad reach.
🌍 Networking with Climate Experts: Participants will connect with industry professionals, organizations, and changemakers.
💡 Hands-On Learning: Beyond theory, the initiative provides real-world exposure, guiding participants to design and implement community-driven climate projects.

A Future Led by Youth

By fostering collective awareness and community empowerment, this initiative is more than just a training program—it’s a movement. We believe that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow but the changemakers of today. With the right skills and opportunities, they can transform local challenges into scalable climate solutions, creating a more sustainable and equitable future.

Are you ready to be part of this change? Join us in empowering youth for a climate-resilient future!

Root Cause Analysis of Digital Vulnerability of Bangladeshi Workers

By
Zulker Naeen
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0
Root Cause Analysis of Digital Vulnerability of Bangladeshi Migrant Workers
Root Cause Analysis of Digital Vulnerability of Bangladeshi Migrant Workers

In recent years, Bangladeshi aspirant migrant workers and immigration seekers have become primary targets of sophisticated online fraud, recruitment scams, and financial deception. These threats — delivered via social media groups, messaging apps, fake mobile apps, online betting traps, and fraudulent payment flows — have reached deep into villages and vulnerable communities.

As digitisation of the migration process accelerates, the scale and technical sophistication of these criminal networks are also increasing. This study is a root-cause investigation explaining why digital vulnerability has become a significant migration risk in Bangladesh.

Objectives

To identify root causes of digital vulnerability among Bangladeshi migrant aspirants and to produce evidence-based guidance and a participatory curriculum to reduce digital and financial risk at the grassroots level.

  1. Map how digital deception reaches aspirant workers at the village level.
  2. Analyse classical cases showing recurring scam modalities using migration networks.
  3. Co-design a practical, low-literacy curriculum and delivery model for digital & financial literacy suited to grassroots contexts.

Outcomes

This study identifies the common digital recruitment scams and fraud techniques that are targeting Bangladeshi aspirants. Which institutional factors drive digital vulnerability? How do aspirant migrant workers’ digital behaviours and financial practices interact with scam vectors?

This initiative will move beyond symptom-spotting to identify root causes and produce practical solutions — an evidence-based curriculum and pilot that can be taken up by BMET, CSOs, and community trainers.

Keywords

Migration Risk, Digital Vulnerability, Digital Literacy, Recruitment Network, Cross-border Syndicates, Digital Scams

Patent

Zulker Naeen – Investigative Journalist & OSINT Investigator

By
Zulker Naeen
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0
Investigative Journalism

Zulker Naeen is an investigative journalist and OSINT (Open-Source Intelligence) investigator specializing in fact-checking, digital verification, and cross-border disinformation research in South Asia.

His work is deeply rooted in fact-checking, digital verification, and cross-border investigations, focusing on how misinformation shapes public discourse and influences geopolitical stability.

As a South Asia Investigative Fellow with the Indo-Pacific Media Advancement Program (IPMAP)—a collaborative initiative by Internews, the Centre for Information Resilience (CIR), and Doublethink Lab (DTL)—Zulker has mastered advanced digital verification techniques.

In January 2025, Zulker’s investigative journey reached new heights when he participated in Media Xcelerate, a regional hackathon designed to counter disinformation and influence operations.

Currently, he is leading an in-depth cross-border investigation into a sophisticated disinformation campaign in South Asia.

He has collaborated with fellow investigators and journalists, refining strategies to expose coordinated propaganda, bot networks, and cyber threats that fuel digital misinformation.

His work extends beyond reporting—he is actively engaged in research advocacy, regional coordination, and training initiatives to strengthen digital literacy and OSINT-based investigations.

Through workshops, training programs, and curriculum development, he equips journalists and fact-checkers across South Asia with the tools to combat misinformation and conduct in-depth investigations.

With a sharp eye for detail and an arsenal of OSINT tools, he continues to lead the fight against cyber harms, disinformation campaigns, and digital manipulation in South Asia.

Weaponizing Misinformation: How women become targets in times of conflict

By
Zulker Naeen
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0
Gendered Misinformation
Weaponizing misinformation: How women become targets in times of conflict

The rapid dissemination of false claims targeting Hindu women reveals the dangerous intersection of how gender and religion are used during political instability

Zulker Naeen

This article was published in the Dhaka Tribune on September 13, 2024.

The resignation of Sheikh Hasina on August 5 and the subsequent collapse of the Awami League government caused a sudden power vacuum which provided a fertile ground for political tensions, as attacks took place on homes and establishments belonging to people of different religions.

Hindu communities have also been targeted in some cases. Subsequently, several Indian media outlets have circulated accounts of widespread attacks against the Hindu community in Bangladesh, raising serious concerns about the ulterior motives behind these reports.

Weaponizing Misinformation: How women become targets in times of conflict

Portraying violence specifically against Hindu women, the spread of false claims played a significant role in fueling communal tensions during the quota reform movement and after the downfall of the Awami government.

Was that the deliberate targeting of women in misinformation campaigns an intended move to incite communal violence? How do women become prime targets of disinformation disguised as victims of attacks during times of conflict and unrest?

However, Fact-Watch, an independent fact-checking organization, reviewed false claims about violence against minority women and how they were exploited as symbolic victims in these narratives to incite further division and unrest.

Gendered Misinformation
Weaponizing misinformation: How women become targets in times of conflict

This review involved analyzing over 25 fact-check reports from various institutions and print media in Bangladesh and India, from July 1 to August 31, with a focus on identifying patterns of misinformation related to communal violence and violence against women.

More than 50 accounts on X, 72% of which were based in India, played a key role in spreading misinformation by circulating images, videos, and content about recent events in Bangladesh, often framing them in a communal context that stoked fear and division among different religious communities. 

In 80% of the reports, inaccurate allegations and misinformation about violence against women were found.

The fact-checked reports highlighted several recurring patterns of violence against women and the spread of misinformation. Old videos and images from past incidents have been repurposed to create false claims of violence against women, with political violence often portrayed as religious or ethnic attacks. Likewise, false claims of celebrity assaults and attacks on homes have been spread to incite communal tensions, while harassment of female teachers has been misrepresented as evidence of religious persecution.

On the other hand, 55% of the disinformation content portrayed Hindu women as victims of violence, including murder, rape, and abduction. In comparison, 45% depicted Muslim women as victims under the guise of being Hindu. 

Equally, protests during the student quota movement were misleadingly framed as attacks on Hindu women in 40% of the content. However, 30% used old, unrelated videos to falsely claim communal violence, with no actual evidence of attacks on minority women.

Less obvious is the fact that only 15% of the content actually involved incidents with Hindu women, and these events were unrelated to gender-based violence or communalism. Compared to other cases, political violence was also manipulated, with 25% of the reports falsely claiming that female members of the Awami League’s student wing were attacked as Hindu women.

Furthermore, 20% of the content falsely claimed that Hindu female teachers were forced to resign under pressure. Despite this, videos of Muslim teachers being harassed were misrepresented as Hindu incidents, fueling further disinformation.

Misinformation is the frequently used tool to fuel communal tensions; however, findings show that the victimhood of Hindu women is being portrayed as the root cause of communal violence. The use of false videos and images has been circulated to create the perception that the Hindu community is under constant threat.

It makes women more vulnerable while also marginalizing religious minorities, creating a lasting obstacle to social harmony and stability

False claims regarding the rape of a Dalit Hindu woman and the misuse of old videos depicting sexual assault are sensitive examples of how disinformation is weaponized. Incidents involving Hindu women, such as false reports of forced resignations of teachers and abductions, are exaggerated or fabricated to stir communal tensions.

Similarly, prominent figures have been falsely implicated, portraying Hindu women as the main victims of communal violence. These narratives have diverted attention from the actual political events, such as attacks on female leaders during anti-government protests, which were spun as communal violence against Hindu women.

The rapid dissemination of false claims about women during political instability shows how gendered disinformation is used to gain public sympathy and provoke communal tensions.

False claims of sexual violence involving old videos being linked to recent incidents were identified as a tactic used to create sensationalized content both for social media platforms and media outlets. These false claims unequivocally fuel communal division by consistently portraying the Muslim community as aggressors against Hindus.

The spread of misinformation targeting Hindu women reveals the dangerous intersection of gender and religion in these contexts. It makes women more vulnerable while also marginalizing religious minorities, creating a lasting obstacle to social harmony and stability.

Religious misinformation frequently weaponizes gender-based violence to justify attacks; however, the spread of false narratives targeting Hindu women, which exposes their safety and rights, was strategically employed to incite communal violence, ultimately contributing to prolonged societal unrest.

This highlights the urgency of addressing the nature and impact of this misinformation to protect vulnerable groups from being used as pawns in political and religious conflicts.

This review demonstrates that gendered misinformation not only disregards women’s status but also curtails their political participation. On the whole, the use of gendered misinformation as a tool to promote communalism is alarming, requiring ongoing vigilance to combat these harmful narratives.

Most importantly, the portrayal of violence against Hindu women has reframed communal violence as a regional issue, creating a complex set of dual barriers in society. 

On the one hand, this narrative further marginalizes women by exploiting their victimhood for political purposes.

On the other hand, it deepens communal divides, positioning religious minorities as targets and fueling inter-religious tensions. 

By strategically exploiting the vulnerabilities of women in the context of communalism, it is essential to critically examine and challenge these false narratives to promote societal stability and gender equality.


Zulker Naeen is a Research Coordinator at the Centre for Critical and Qualitative Studies, at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh. He is reachable at naeenzulker@gmail.com. This report is drawn from research findings on “Violence Against Women and Misinformation: A Fact-Check Analysis of Recent Communal Attacks in Bangladesh” by the author, as part of a working paper published by Fact-Watch.

Anti-India Sentiment On Rise: A Warning Sign Of Misleading Narratives

By
Zulker Naeen
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0

This Op-Ed has been published in Eurasia Review on August 20, 2024

By Zulker Naeen

The political landscape in Bangladesh has experienced a seismic shift following the resignation of the longest-serving Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, from her post, and her fled to India due to anti-quota protests by students. The ousting of Hasina, who had held power for nearly 16 years, was the fruit of a nationwide protest movement spearheaded by the youth— the students of Gen-Z of Bangladesh.

This movement, which has been hailed as a “Gen-Z Revolution,” was not only aimed at toppling an authoritarian regime but also at laying the groundwork for a new and reformed Bangladesh. Now, textbooks are being rewritten to conceal the tumultuous history of the nation’s darker periods of anarchy and authoritarianism.

Anti-India Sentiment On Rise: A Warning Sign Of Misleading Narratives

Courtesy: Eurasia Review

Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, attacks have taken place on Awami League offices, leaders’ homes, and businesses in various districts. Hindu communities have also been targeted in some cases, raising concerns over a broader pattern of communal violence.

Indeed, there have been concerning reports of violence against minority communities. Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad reported 205 incidents of persecution of members of minority communities across 52 districts.

Many Bangladeshi student protesters, including members of the Gen-Z cohort, have taken proactive steps to protect Hindu temples and households from vandalism. Social media platforms like Instagram are filled with images of young students guarding these sites, aiming to dispel fears of religious violence and show solidarity with the Hindu community.

This complex situation has not only heightened tensions within Bangladesh but has also led to a ripple effect in neighboring India, where the issue has become a flashpoint on social media. Numerous posts have gone viral, purporting to show scenes of Hindus being attacked or persecuted in Bangladesh, fueling a surge of anti-Hindu and anti-India sentiment across the region.

In the past two weeks, numerous posts claiming to depict scenes from the protests have rapidly spread across platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and X in India, many of which have taken on a distinctly communal framework where numerous verified accounts have spread rumors and unverified claims as factual news.

The unchecked spread of rumors and fake news on platforms like X, combined with sensationalist coverage in mainstream Indian media, is creating a narrative that paints India as an antagonist rather than an ally.

For instance, Republic Bangla broadcast a report alleging that the Navagraha Temple had been attacked, a claim that has since been debunked as disinformation. At the same time, Sudarshan News broadcast the Lakshmipur shop fire video as part of their coverage of supposed attacks on Hindus. These reports have been widely shared and viewed, contributing to a growing perception in India that Hindus in Bangladesh are under siege.

In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the West Bengal Police stated that some local TV channels are violating the Press Council of India norms by reporting on the current situation in Bangladesh in such a communally inflammatory manner. They request people not to fall into the trap of one-sided, hateful, and misleading propaganda.

Many of these posts have been debunked by fact-checkers; it reveals a concerning trend of misinformation.

Independent fact-checking organizations like FactWatch and international news agencies such as BBC Bangla have published reports debunking several of these claims, confirming that the incident was falsely reported when Al Jazeera’s coverage highlighted the exaggeration of attack numbers by certain Indian media outlets.

Reports from Indian government-affiliated news agencies like ANI suggest a coordinated effort to depict the unrest in Bangladesh as a religiously charged crisis. A student leader from India told ANI that the student-led movement in Bangladesh was orchestrated by the nation’s adversaries—a narrative that BJP leaders have echoed; it has attributed the destabilization efforts to Jamaat-e-Islami.

Reports from Bangladesh, including those from Al Jazeera and other international media, have provided a starkly different perspective against these narratives. According to these sources, the attacks on the Hindu community were not primarily religiously motivated but were instead politically driven. Many of the targeted individuals were affiliated with the Awami League, suggesting that the violence was rooted in political retribution rather than communal hatred. Additionally, Hindu community leaders in Bangladesh have refuted the claims made by Indian media, stating that the attacks were politically motivated rather than communal.

Right-wing political groups in India have a vested interest in portraying the violence in Bangladesh as part of an anti-Hindu narrative. There is, therefore, a correlation between an increase in misinformation on Indian platforms and a rise in criminal activities and vandalism in Bangladesh, leading some within the country to suspect that pro-Awami League forces in India are intentionally promoting a narrative of communal unrest to destabilize the country.

While the attack against Hindus is true, the framing of these incidents as part of a broader anti-Hindu agenda is not universally accepted. The spread of misinformation, therefore, serves multiple purposes: it fuels communal tensions, undermines the government’s credibility, and provides a pretext for further crackdowns on opposition groups.

Recent exaggerated reports by certain Indian media outlets of violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh have already intensified anti-India sentiments among the country’s Gen-Z population. Even this generation, already critical of what they see as India’s meddling in Bangladeshi politics, is increasingly viewing India not as a democratic but as a nation driven by religious bias.

The portrayal of Bangladesh’s crisis through a religious lens by some Indian outlets suggests that the ongoing turmoil is primarily about religious tensions rather than a broader struggle for democratic rights. Yet, the focus on religious violence, often exaggerated or misreported, is intensifying anti-India sentiments among these young people, who feel their aspirations for a better Bangladesh are being overshadowed by an external agenda.

This generation, which has successfully mobilized against what they see as autocratic rule, is acutely aware of the power of information and the dangers of disinformation. They are keeping an eye on India—whether through government channels or social media influencers—as an attempt to undermine their movement.

Overall involvement of India in our political crisis and narratives, often portraying the unrest in Bangladesh as a precursor to religious extremism, is having a profound impact on how the youth in Bangladesh view India—not as a democratic ally but as a meddling neighbor with ulterior motives.

As these young people move into leadership roles, their current perceptions will likely influence how they engage with India globally. The growing anti-India sentiment among the new generation is not just a short-term issue—in the future, this could lead to a more strained diplomatic relationship.

If this distrust continues to grow, it could lead to a more strained and adversarial relationship, undermining decades of cooperation and mutual support. The potential for long-term diplomatic fallout is real, and both countries must recognize the dangers of allowing misinformation to shape public opinion.

Zulker Naeen

Zulker Naeen is a research coordinator at the Center for Critical and Qualitative Studies at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh.

Why the misinformation?

By
Zulker Naeen
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1

The Indian media’s portrayal of Bangladesh turmoil as religiously motivated has fueled misinformation and has strained Bangladesh-India relations, posing a threat to regional stability

Zulker Naeen

This article has been published in the Dhaka Tribune on August 27, 2024.

The youth-led uprisings in Bangladesh culminated in the historic resignation of Sheikh Hasina, marking the end of an era and plunging the nation into a period of unprecedented uncertainty. Immediately after her resignation, there was a nationwide interruption of law and order.

Why the misinformation?

Courtesy: Dhaka Tribune

Police forces were noticeably absent from their posts, leaving the streets unguarded and the public in heightened anxiety. This sudden power vacuum created a volatile and messy situation, and the country grappled with the aftermath of a revolution, destabilizing the nation.

Attacks have taken place on Awami League offices, leaders’ homes, and businesses in various districts. Hindu communities have also been targeted in some cases, raising concerns over rising communal violence.

Subsequently, several Indian media outlets have circulated accounts of widespread attacks against the Hindu community in Bangladesh, raising serious concerns about the ulterior motives behind these reports.

If one is going to repetitively point to Hindu victimhood, overlooking the wider political context, then one is sure to create a one-way inflammatory discourse that does little to promote understanding or peace. Indian media has largely portrayed these motivated attacks as a broader crisis — one religiously charged, broadly against the Hindu community.

They have circulated false claims with doctored images exaggerating the scale and nature of violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Such manipulative media narratives with striking visual content only exacerbates the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation.

Independent fact-checking organizations like Fact-Watch, along with national and international media outlets, have played a crucial role in debunking these false claims. Their analysis has revealed a systematic effort to distort the truth, with many of the viral posts being either outright fabrications or gross exaggerations of actual events.

It was true that Fact-Watch’s fact-checking of the video concerning the temple attack did prove that it took place in a separate, unrelated incident years earlier—the footage of which was being repackaged with the intent to inspire fear in its audience.

For example, Republic Bangla aired a report claiming there was an attack at the Nabagraha Temple when Sudarshan News broadcast the Lakshmipur shop fire video as part of their coverage of supposed attacks on Hindus. Those reports have been widely shared and viewed, contributing to a growing perception in India that Hindus in Bangladesh are under siege.

However, Fact-Watch debunked this claim, revealing that the fire had occurred at the south district Awami League office near the temple, not the temple itself. Another instance of misinformation involved a video showing a woman being abducted in Senbagh, Noakhali, claiming that it depicted a communal attack against Hindus. However, further investigation revealed that the incident was a domestic dispute unrelated to any communal violence.

Similarly, a video showing a shop on fire in Lakshmipur was falsely presented as evidence of recent anti-Hindu violence, even though the incident occurred weeks before the political unrest and was not related to any religious conflict.

The conflation of these genuine incidents with exaggerated or false reports has made it difficult to discern the true extent of the threat facing Hindus in Bangladesh.

The Times Group-owned Mirror Now, for instance, released a video titled “Attack on Hindus in Bangladesh? Genocide, Murder by an Enraged Mob,” which depicted scenes of violence and burning. However, investigations by Al Jazeera and other independent fact-checking organizations have shown that the claims were grossly exaggerated and those two houses were actually Muslim-owned.

The conflation of these genuine incidents with exaggerated or false reports has made it difficult to discern the true extent of the threat facing Hindus in Bangladesh

Many of the targeted individuals were affiliated with the Awami League, suggesting that the violence was rooted in political retribution rather than communal hatred. In districts like Narsingdi and Jessore, where attacks were reported, residents have confirmed that the violence was directed at individuals based only on their political affiliations.

Gobinda Chandra Pramanik, a prominent leader of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, has asserted the same.

But by framing the unrest in Bangladesh as a religious conflict, these outlets and social media accounts are arguably attempting to rally Hindu nationalist sentiment within India. Such a portrayal of Bangladesh as a hostile, anti-Hindu neighbour fits neatly into the agenda of right-wing political groups in India, who have long sought to portray Hindus as under siege in the region.

The fear-generated narratives have not only fueled communal tensions but have also been used to justify calls for a more aggressive stance towards Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, many in Bangladesh, including members of the Gen-Z cohort, have taken proactive steps to protect Hindu temples and households from vandalism — a fact that is rarely highlighted in Indian coverage.

Foreign Affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain has criticized the Indian media for broadcasting the recent events in Bangladesh in a “highly exaggerated” manner. He argued that this kind of reporting not only distorts the truth but also harms the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

Similarly, while talking with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the telephone, Professor Muhammad Yunus made bold remarks about the exaggerated reports of attacks on minorities, going so far as to invite Indian journalists to visit Bangladesh and report from the ground. Yunus’s call for transparency and accuracy in reporting is a direct challenge to the current media narrative, urging a more truthful representation of events.

The framing of these incidents undermines the sovereignty of Bangladesh, painting it as a nation incapable of protecting its minority communities without external intervention. This is not favourable to upholding healthy diplomatic relations and could have long-term consequences for the region’s stability.

The growing distrust stems from a perception that India has not acted in the best interests of Bangladesh, particularly in the wake of the recent political reforms and the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. Accordingly, Bangladesh believes India has overstepped its bounds, interfering in their internal affairs and failing to respect its sovereignty.

If the current trajectory continues, the relationship between these two historically linked nations could be strained, with repercussions for the broader South Asian region.

Zulker Naeen is a Research Coordinator at the Centre for Critical and Qualitative Studies, at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh. He is reachable at naeenzulker@gmail.com

Impacts of Bangladesh’s uprisings on neighbouring countries

By
Zulker Naeen
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0

This article has been published in the Daily Observer on Thursday, 5 September 2024.

Zulker Naeen

Impacts of Bangladesh’s uprisings on neighbouring countries

Courtesy: Al Jazeera

The recent upsurge in student activism across South Asia is a reflection of deeper geopolitical shifts and the evolving landscape of South Asian diplomacy. It is noteworthy to mention that the ousting of Sheikh Hasina by student-led protests in Bangladesh has reverberated across South Asia. Subsequently, the triumph in Bangladesh has inspired youth activism beyond its borders and exposed the shared vulnerabilities and aspirations of the younger generation.

To get its way, South Asia appears as a region of overlapping unrest, with protests sweeping through its diverse demographics with threads of social justice, political discontent, and regional tensions. In reality, especially in South Asia, the protests in one country often inspire and amplify movements in neighbouring nations, creating a dynamic interplay of influence and response.

Right now, the brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor in Kolkata has further intensified the unrest. It has sparked massive demonstrations demanding better protection for women and accountability for the perpetrators. The protests have led to a wider critique of governance, charging the administration of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee with incompetence. Recent political instability seen in Bangladesh has only intensified these fears, with opposition parties exploiting the situation to rally against the ruling government.

Impacts of Bangladesh’s uprisings on neighbouring countries
Published Version of this Op-Ed

Shortly thereafter, the Bharat Bandh on August 21, 2024, exemplified how domestic discontent can escalate into widespread unrest in India. The Supreme Court’s decision to permit sub categorization within SC/ST reservations is the reason behind the call for this strike. The ruling is perceived to be an erosion of the protection given to backward classes, in effect welding together a large coalition of Dalit and Adivasi outfits. The protests have highlighted the volatility surrounding social justice issues in India.

Similarly, in Pakistan, the influence of Bangladesh’s student-led revolution is palpable. The Pakistan Student Federation (PSF), aligned with Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has issued an ultimatum demanding Khan’s release by August 30. The increasing mobilization of students in Pakistan highlights the spillover effects of Bangladesh’s unrest, creating a ripple of activism that demands accountability and democratic reforms.

In Baluchistan, protests against military operations and enforced disappearances have reaped attention, while in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, local dissent against military actions reveals how much malaise is directed at the government’s approach to conflict and governance.

Likewise, the student movements in India and Pakistan have drawn strength from the shared histories of struggle against colonialism, authoritarianism, and social injustice. The success of Bangladesh’s revolution has revived memories of past student movements in these countries, recapping the youth of their potential power to effect change.

The spillover of the student uprising is apparent in India and Pakistan, as the youth in these countries face high unemployment rates, underemployment, and a lack of opportunities, leading to widespread disillusionment with their respective governments.

In India, this discontent has fueled protests against the government’s economic policies, while in Pakistan, students have rallied against corruption and the lack of educational and job opportunities. The lack of governance as well as the social and political struggles in these countries mirror those that initiated the uprising in Bangladesh, hence the revolution that inspires and guides to action.

Geographically, the proximity of these nations and their shared borders facilitates the exchange of ideas and the rapid spread of social movements.

Demographically, nearly half its population is under the age of 24, and over one million young people enter the labour force every month until 2030, a substantial base of young people who are disappointed with the status quo and eager for change.

Socially, issues such as corruption, a lack of educational opportunities, and political repression resonate across borders, creating fertile ground for the spread of student-led protests.

The protests in Bangladesh have highlighted domestic issues and served as a catalyst for political activism in neighbouring countries, showing how regional dynamics can shape and reshape political landscapes.

With consecutive protests in the streets of India and Pakistan, the regional turmoil highlights the broader geopolitical shifts occurring in South Asia. Most importantly, the junction of student activism across India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan reflects a growing regional awareness among youth and a shared frustration with entrenched political systems.

Today, however, the 2024 uprisings have the strength to pulverize several states and bring the powers of South Asian leaders tumbling down. Moreover, the success of these movements could inspire similar uprisings in other parts of the Indo-Pacific, challenging authoritarian regimes and prompting a re-evaluation of strategic partnerships.

Overwhelmingly, the student-led revolution in Bangladesh has set South Asia on a new trajectory. Similarly, the student movements in India and Pakistan are a testament to the power of youth activism and the shared challenges faced by the younger generation.

No one can with certainty speculate what is happening to the fate of South Asian streets; whether these nations embrace the potential for positive change or attempt to suppress it will determine the stability and prosperity of the region in the years to come.

The writer is a research coordinator at both FactWatch and the Center for Critical and Qualitative Studies at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh

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