49 Indian media outlets spread at least 13 fake reports about Bangladesh since 12 Aug: Rumor Scanner

Screenshot of a list of Indian outlets and fake reports published by them. The list was compiled by Rumor Scanner.

Forty-nine Indian media outlets spread at least 13 false reports about Bangladesh between 12 August and 5 December, an investigation by the independent fact-checking organisation Rumor Scanner has found.

In a report published on its website today (6 December), Rumor Scanner said, "Following the fall of the Awami League government, Indian media outlets began circulating a series of rumours about the situation in Bangladesh."

"An investigation by the Rumor Scanner team found that between August 12 and 5 December, 13 false reports were published in Indian media. A total of 49 Indian media outlets were identified for spreading these fake news stories," it stated.

Among the Indian outlets that spread the fake reports, Republic Bangla led the list, broadcasting five rumours.

"Hindustan Times, Zee News, and Live Mint followed closely, each spreading three rumours. Additionally, Republic, India Today, ABP Anand, and Aaj Tak each broadcast two rumours," the report stated.

The remaining 41 media outlets each broadcasted one rumour. 

Also read: What are the 13 fake reports published by the Indian media since 12 Aug

The other 41 Indian media outlets that spread the false and misleading reports are: Asian News International (ANI), NDTV, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, Firstpost, OpIndia, Free Press Journal, Mirror Now, India.Com, Times of India, RT_India, Sangbad Pratidin, Zee 24, ThePrint,  The Statesman, WION, Oneindia, CNN-News18, The Wire, Financial Express, Ei Muhurte, Mathrubhumi, News9, Calcutta News, Headlines Tripura National, Times Now, The Wall, News 24, Puber Kalom, The Tribune, NE India Broadcast, Business Standard, TV9, Lokmat Times, PTC News, NewsX, The Tatva, Swarajya, NewsBytes, Vibes Of India, Bartaman.

The fake reports

According to Rumor Scanner, Indian media published fake reports on several issues, including misrepresentation of the slain lawyer Saiful Islam as Chinmoy Krishna's lawyer; rumours about Indian channels being banned in Bangladesh; spreading a video of idol immersion in India falsely claiming it was in response to Hindu idols being destroyed in Bangladesh due to Muslim attacks; falsely claiming an attack on a Shyamoli Paribahan bus; fabricated reports of an assault on Chinmoy Krishna's lawyer; misleading news about the UK issuing a travel advisory due to potential terrorist attacks in Bangladesh.

Indian outlets also published false reports about a fake open letter attributed to Sheikh Hasina after her resignation, a video of a human chain by a Muslim man searching for his missing son being falsely claimed to involve a Hindu person, a false report claiming Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus was admitted to the ICU, baseless claims about lifting the ban on banned militant organizations in Bangladesh, a fabricated story claiming CA Yunus fled to France after Trump's victory, and false allegations about arms being smuggled into Bangladesh via a Pakistani ship.