Advisor Nahid slates ‘misinformation’ campaign maligning movement in Indian, international media

The advisor says standing up against propaganda is a must to build a democratic South Asia

Information and Broadcasting Advisor Nahid Islam has alleged that ‘misinformation’ about the civil uprising is being carried out by the international and Indian media.

He said, “A debate is being created about Mahfuz Alam, one of the coordinators of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement and special assistant to the chief advisor. Indian newspaper the Economic Times has made controversial comments about him without any evidence.

“The same tone was echoed in Anandabazar Patrika. Attempts are being made to spread such propaganda on the global stage—something that is entirely unexpected."

Nahid was speaking at a seminar titled ‘The Cross-Border Spread of Misinformation in South Asia’ at a Dhaka hotel on Sunday.

The advisor continued, “Everyone has to be vocal against any kind of 'misinformation' about Bangladesh. The recent student-public uprising must be portrayed properly in the media.

“If we want to build a democratic South Asia, we must stand up against all forms of propaganda."

Highlighting the backdrop of the recent uprising, he said: “It is not just a 36-day long movement, it is an explosion of people's ‘accumulated anger’ over the past 16 years.

“The movement was not led by any political party or organisation. It was advanced by ordinary students and people.”

Citing a trial to create controversy about the civil uprising and the interim government, Nahid said, “Attempts are being made to conflate Islamic extremism with Bangladesh’s recent movement, which is not true at all.”

Prof Salimullah Khan and ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury also spoke at the seminar.