It would appear as if the nation of Bangladesh too has bouts with fake news.

In an article published by the Dhaka Tribune, one instance of a fake news story, related to domestic terrorism is detailed. Titled “Police and RAB foil an attempt at what could have been a dangerous terrorist attack”. This fake news story was actually based off a real incident in which a student was being beaten by security guards in a residential area, and actual witnesses of the event were able to point to this news story as false.

This incident sparked a discussion about Bangladesh’s Freedom of Speech laws and related rights. Are the creators of these fake news stories protected by law? Article 39 of Bangladesh’s Constitution guarantees the freedom of expression much like the American Constitution does, however this freedom is “subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the State.”

My question is who exactly created this fake news story, which interestingly covers up a case of brutality by Bangla security guards under the guise of preventing terrorism? Could the authors of similar fake news articles be hired by someone to fabricate these stories?

 

 

http://www.dhakatribune.com/opinion/op-ed/2018/02/04/bangladeshs-fake-news-epidemic/