Filtering out the truth from a sea of misinformation

'Fake news' generally encompasses two forms: misinformation, which refers to false or misleading information that is spread regardless of intent, and disinformation, which is deliberately false information designed to mislead the public for political, financial, or social gain.

While the spread of fake news within Bangladesh has been a persistent issue, the recent surge of fake news originating from India has elevated it to a matter of national concern. According to Rumour Scanner, a Bangladeshi fact-checking organisation, at least 13 instances of fake news were disseminated across 49 Indian media outlets between 12 August and 05 December. 

International treaties related to misinformation and the responsible use of media, such as the 1936 Convention on the Use of Broadcasting in the Cause of Peace and the 1953 Convention on the International Right of Correction, have struggled for practical effectiveness and widespread acceptance. Moreover, neither Bangladesh nor India is a party to these treaties, leaving states reliant on broader principles of international law, such as state responsibility.

However, holding a state responsible for spreading fake news is challenging because of the anonymity of online platforms and the involvement of non-state actors. Thus, this article focuses on multifaceted strategies to effectively counter disinformation, emphasising that these approaches should be implemented simultaneously for optimal efficacy.

The primary measure in countering fake news by a foreign country is issuing a prompt official rebuttal to clarify facts, uphold national dignity, and prevent the escalation of misunderstandings. A recent example of this approach was Bangladesh's official response to the baseless narrative propagated by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs regarding the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, which inaccurately portrayed the incident. 

Bangladesh's swift and unequivocal rebuttal not only rectified the record but also conveyed a strong message that the nation would not tolerate any distortion of truth undermining its sovereignty or bilateral relations. 

A second approach to addressing disinformation is diplomatic dialogue between the foreign ministries of the concerned countries. A notable instance of such diplomatic efforts was the Foreign Secretary-level meeting between Bangladesh and India on 09 December.

The Bangladeshi foreign secretary raised concerns about misleading Indian media narratives alleging hostile treatment of minorities in Bangladesh post-July-August Revolution. Bangladesh's foreign secretary has drawn the attention of the government of India and requested it take appropriate action in this regard. This method fosters constructive engagement and underscores the commitment to resolve issues amicably. 

A third crucial approach to combating disinformation is leveraging social media platforms to curb false narratives. An illustrative example of this strategy is the recent appeal by Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, to Meta to address the disinformation campaign against Bangladesh. 

While this initiative is praiseworthy, it should also be extended to other platforms, such as Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube, to ensure a comprehensive response to misinformation across all social media channels. 

Fourthly, the presence of influencers and content creators commenting on political issues on platforms such as YouTube should be significantly expanded in Bangladesh. Not only that, they should include links to original articles, studies, or data in the video description to enhance the transparency of content. 

Providing references not only builds trust but also encourages global audiences to engage in research, critical thinking, and the formation of well-informed opinions based on comprehensive information. Furthermore, English subtitles should also be provided to reach international audiences.

Additionally, Bangladesh's limited presence on X (formerly Twitter) restricts its capacity to influence global narratives effectively. Strengthening engagement on X is vital for sharing real-time information, promoting public diplomacy, and combating misinformation on an international scale. To support these efforts, a comprehensive training program should be arranged for influencers and content creators in fact-checking to ensure they share accurate and reliable information.

Below, I will explore valuable insights from other jurisdictions, as exploring the strategies employed by various countries can provide us with practical frameworks and innovative solutions applicable to Bangladesh situations.

For instance, Taiwan is the nation most susceptible to disinformation disseminated by foreign governments, particularly from Chinese state media, as per data from the V-Dem research project led by the University of Gothenburg.

In response, Taiwan has developed fact-checking initiatives such as MyGoPen and the Taiwan FactCheck Centre (TFC). 

MyGoPen is a fact-checking platform dedicated to debunking viral rumours and fake news on social media. It focuses on providing accurate information to counter false claims. 

TFC, in contrast, a professional organisation affiliated with the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), focuses on political, social, and public health misinformation. It conducts rigorous investigations of dubious claims and publishes comprehensive fact-check reports that include detailed analyses, sources, and methodologies. TFC collaborates with media outlets, government agencies, and civil society organisations to bolster its efforts. 

Bangladesh could follow this model by collaborating with fact-checking organisations to disseminate accurate information both domestically and internationally while also strengthening its existing domestic fact-checkers.

Another significant insight can be gleaned from Finland, which has proactively addressed disinformation through a robust media literacy curriculum introduced in 2016. Schools nationwide employ the book 'The ABC Book of Media Literacy' to equip students with the skills necessary to combat misinformation, covering topics such as evaluating sources and the nuances of freedom of expression.

This initiative cultivates critical thinking and empowers citizens to discern credible information. Consequently, Finland has consistently ranked at the pinnacle of the Media Literacy Index, published annually by the Open Society Institute in Bulgaria since 2017. 

Bangladesh could adopt a similar strategy by incorporating a media literacy curriculum at all levels of education. This would enable students to develop the skills needed to comprehend the information they encounter and proficiently counter disinformation.

Finally, setting up a dedicated 24/7 response team is crucial to monitor and address emerging fake news in real-time. This team would quickly identify misinformation, assess its effects, and deploy strategies to prevent escalation.

Sifat Aiman is an Advocate at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.