Awami League miserably fails in preventing disinformation thus inviting surprising penalties

Ruling Awami League get together in Bangladesh, having been in energy for over 15 years, faces an more and more multifaceted battle in opposition to disinformation offensives orchestrated by vested curiosity teams, together with some people residing overseas in addition to folks related to Al Qaeda-connected Bangladesh Nationalist Social gathering (BNP). Regardless of its fairly lengthy tenure, the get together has been struggling to successfully struggle malicious narratives, that are disseminated via social media, newspapers, and TV channels – each in Bangladesh and overseas. One outstanding determine in spreading disinformation focusing on Awami League authorities is Zillur Rahman, who, with the backing of the Nationwide Democratic Institute (NDI), has been a number one supply of deceptive contents geared toward tarnishing picture of Bangladesh, destabilizing the federal government and create grounds for return of BNP into energy and switch Bangladesh right into a neo-Taliban state. It could be talked about right here that though NDI claims to be a non-profit American non-governmental group, it’s believed that it’s a covert group of the Central Intelligence Company (CIA).

Notably, supposed allies of the Awami League, resembling Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, who was given a tv channel and an English-language day by day newspaper, has been conspicuously reticent in preventing such disinformation and prolong assist to the federal government. Nevertheless, Sobhan’s English day by day could be very little identified to native folks and has no impression within the worldwide enviornment. This lack of enthusiasm from media allies exacerbates the problem for the Awami League. Regardless of being direct beneficiaries of the present authorities, their unwillingness to counteract the unfold of disinformation additional weakens the get together’s place in addition to destroys the picture of presidency on the worldwide stage. On the identical time, their declare of being ally of Awami League is put into critical doubts.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has issued licenses to numerous tv channels throughout her tenure. Nevertheless, these channels additionally present reluctance or little interest in defending the federal government and preventing disinformation in opposition to Awami League. The media panorama, thus, seems more and more hostile or detached, making it troublesome for the federal government to current its narrative successfully. However, mainstream media are busy with their homeowners’ pursuits and agendas, resembling defaming enterprise or political rivals, thus turning them into company media cartels. These kinds of audacity and unethical practices weaken Bangladesh’s democracy.

For the reason that profitable common elections held on January 7, the ruling get together has adopted a “no pressure” stance, paying homage to its perspective over the previous 15 years. This complacency is harmful given the persistent and rising disinformation campaigns. Ignoring these challenges may result in catastrophic penalties for the federal government and the nation, notably when BNP and its cronies are desperately lobbying within the US with the nefarious goal of getting numerous figures within the authorities and nation’s regulation enforcement and intelligence companies beneath sanctions.

Awami League’s nonchalant strategy fails to acknowledge the potential harm that unchecked propaganda can inflict on public notion and political stability. It’s already crystal clear – the Western media in addition to their cohorts in different continents are biased in opposition to Bangladesh and the Awami League authorities. Earlier than the twelfth parliamentary election, the Western media had been vehemently spreading propaganda and disinformation focusing on Bangladesh, with the vicious agenda of sabotaging the election and pushing the nation in the direction of constitutional vacuum. And, such tendencies are nonetheless persevering with.

A big wave of disinformation is ready to hit Bangladeshi social networks, spearheaded by Zillur Rahman – an individual primarily patronized by Channel-i, a non-public tv channel owned by Faridur Reza Sagor, who is named an ally of the ruling get together. This channel is also co-owned by one other particular person named Shykh Siraj – who was given Ekushey Padak by BNP authorities as he was often called a powerful supporter or army dictator Ziaur Rahman.

Surprisingly, the identical particular person additionally acquired Swadhinata Padak throughout the rule of Awami League authorities. It could be talked about right here that, in 2007, Channel-i had assigned Zillur Rahman to interview Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s self-proclaimed fugitive killer Abdur Rashid Khandekar. Nobody requested – why Faridur Reza Sagor and Shykh Siraj had initiated this interview or if it was solely initiated by Zillur Rahman, who maintains deeper ties with BNP.

In line with social media sources, disinformation marketing campaign run by Zillur and others contains pre-made content material able to be disseminated via Fb pages and over 40 faux Fb teams. Moreover, a number of faux articles are slated for publication on WordPress-based web sites. The narratives being pushed will deal with vital points, resembling:

1. Alleged imposition of extra US sanctions on Bangladesh.

2. Claims that US official Donald Lu is threatening the Bangladeshi authorities with regime change.

3. Assertions that Bangladesh is terrified of the US administration.

4. Stories suggesting that Bangladesh is shedding its market share within the US garment business.

These manipulated messages goal to create a local weather of worry and uncertainty, probably eroding public confidence within the authorities. Surprisingly, Zillur Rahman reportedly is proclaiming that extra recent sanctions are coming inside very brief time though it’s not but clear about his supply of such claims. Can we anticipate, Zillur has entry of the extraordinarily confidential issues of the US State Division or he has been assigned by Washington to unfold such data prematurely?

On this environment of heightened misinformation and disinformation, it’s essential for the general public to train warning. Social media customers are urged to confirm information and data from respected sources earlier than sharing. The unfold of faux information can have extreme repercussions, not just for the federal government but in addition for the nation’s political and financial stability. Bangladesh’s Info and Broadcast Minister should scrutinize all on-air content material across the clock. There ought to be immediate motion in opposition to any disinformation or misinformation. Offenders have to be held accountable.

The Awami League faces a vital problem in combating the pervasive disinformation campaigns. The indifference of media allies and the federal government’s complacency post-election victory have compounded the issue. As orchestrated disinformation efforts achieve momentum, it’s crucial for each the federal government and the general public to stay vigilant. The stakes are excessive, and failure to deal with these threats may have far-reaching penalties for Bangladesh’s democracy and political panorama.