Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon informed that 16 websites mimicking media outlets, along with over 300 Facebook accounts and 100 X accounts, have been identified for spreading rumours and disinformation.
The minister provided this information during the first budget session of 13th National Parliament on Monday.
In a written response to a query from Md Mostafizur Rahman Babul, member of Parliament for Jamalpur-3 constituency, the minister detailed the government’s measures against those exploiting media freedom to spread “planned propaganda” of “fallen fascists”. The session was presided over by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.
Swapon said BanglaFact, an initiative under Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB), is actively working to counter misinformation and slander. To date, it has published 783 fact-checks, analyses, investigative reports, and videos/reels, of which 229 were produced since the current government took office.
The platform currently verifies an average of three to five claims daily, and a “Fact-check Manual” is set to be published soon for the benefit of media professionals.
Regarding journalist training, the minister noted that between October 2024 and 21 June 2026, PIB conducted 123 workshops across 64 districts, training a total of 5,977 journalists.
Since the present government assumed responsibility, 365 journalists have been trained across 10 sessions. Each training programme includes a dedicated day on countering rumours, fact-checking, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in journalism.
The minister informed the House that PIB has recently published a research book titled “Shikari Sangbadikta” (predatory journalism). The publication examines how fascists have used media platforms to suppress opponents and carry out character assassinations.
In response to another query from Dewan Mohammod Salahuddin, MP for Dhaka-19, the minister also shared the broader statistics of the country’s media landscape. He said there are currently 59 television channels (four state-owned and 55 private with NOCs), of which 39 are currently broadcasting.
Additionally, there are 1,436 daily newspapers (593 from Dhaka and 843 from other districts) and 474 registered online news portals. Among the portals, 282 are general news sites, 131 are online versions of daily newspapers, and 61 are regional portals.
