16 fake websites, 400 fraud social media profiles of news outlets identified

The government fact-checking agency, Banglafact, has identified 16 websites and 400 social media accounts that illegally mimic the online versions of established media outlets, said Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahid Uddin Swapon.

These fake websites and social media accounts were using the guise of mainstream outlets to spread disinformation, propaganda, misguided facts and false reports, the minister claimed while speaking at the Parliament.

The information ministry has already taken various initiatives to counter misinformation in the country, Zahir Uddin Swapon said in response to a query submitted by ruling party leader and Jamalpur-3 lawmaker Md Mostafizur Rahman Babul.

The measures include hands-on training for journalists to help them respond to the growing disinformation crisis.

The Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) will soon publish a “fact-checking manual” for the journalists, the minister added.

There are currently 1,969 registered media outlets in the country, including 59 television channels, 1,436 daily newspapers, and 474 registered online news portals, Zahir Uddin Swapon said in response to a separate question from Brahmanbaria-5 MP Md Abdul Mannan.

The information minister stated that the government is working meticulously to prevent rumors in online journalism and social media platforms nationwide. Whenever any misinformation or rumor spreads on social media, a special committee at PIB swiftly verifies the authenticity and immediately sends “Information Notes” and “Rebuttals” to all public and private media outlets.

Regional information offices under the PIB are closely monitoring online news and social media content. To raise public awareness against cyber harassment and propaganda, the Feature Branch of the PIB is regularly producing and publishing specialized articles in national dailies and online portals.

In response to the query by Dhaka-19 MP Dewan Mohammad Salahuddin, the minister presented a detailed information over the country's current media landscape.

According to him, there are 59 TV channels in the country. Of these four are state-owned, while 55 are private channels. However, 39 channels are now on air.

The total number of daily newspapers is 1,436. Of them 593 are published from Dhaka, while 843 are published from other districts.

On the other hand, a total of 474 online news portals are currently registered in the country under three distinct categories.