Disinformation and Propaganda Watch: Bangladesh Edition

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The below report has been compiled by Toronto-based non-profit lab, Teach Global Institute. The findings are alarming. This would lead to an age old trend where Westerners, and anyone randomly searching the Internet would view Bangladesh, or any South Asian country for that matter through the lens of India. This needs to change.

Whose Stories Count? How Google Search Erases Local Media in Bangladesh
On November 25, 2024, Bangladeshi authorities arrested Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu monk and community leader, on sedition charges—a move that sparked violent clashes between his supporters and the police, and escalated tensions between Bangladesh and India. The incident drew considerable media attention across South Asia and beyond, particularly after a lawyer was killed in Chattogram, thousands of Hindu monks in West Bengal attempted a march to the Bangladesh border, and activists in India attacked a Bangladeshi diplomatic outpost in retaliation.

This event unfolded amid heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh—a historically close ally and strategic partner critical to India’s border security—following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Ultranationalist Indian voices intensified the rhetoric by accusing Bangladesh’s interim government of enabling a “Hindu genocide” despite local and Western media reporting otherwise, including a report from Tech Global Institute that found evidence of coordinated disinformation exploiting existing inter-religious tensions.

Google Search results for this incident and the broader narrative regarding the treatment of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh failed to highlight original, on-the-ground reporting from Bangladeshi sources. Instead, the search landscape was overwhelmingly dominated by Indian media outlets, including those known for heavily opinionated and subjective coverage, amplifying mis- and disinformation about the situation in Bangladesh among international quarters. This imbalanced prioritization by such a critical information gatekeeper, neglecting to account for the ground realities, accurate representation, and objective, verifiable facts, ultimately distorted the narrative surrounding this sensitive and high-stakes situation, and led to disproportionate diplomatic outrage and international responses regarding inter-religious tensions in Bangladesh and the country’s stability following the fall of the prior regime.

An insular, one-dimensional portrayal of Bangladesh, filtered through India’s politicized and nationalist-driven media and information ecosystem not only reinforces harmful stereotypes but also risks undermining Bangladesh’s diplomatic autonomy, distorting foreign policy, deterring foreign investment, and threatening its democratic transition. Yet, while widespread social media misinformation about the lead-up to and aftermath of the arrest received some scrutiny, Google Search’s performance went largely unchecked.

This report examines the platform’s search bias, the lack of algorithmic accountability, and the broader implications of these issues, particularly in the context of minority rights, disinformation, and regional and geopolitical relations.

ANALYSIS

We implemented a structured approach to analyze the purported bias in Google’s search ranking, examining geographic variations, linguistic and keyword differences, and a comparison between incognito and standard browser search results. Chrome, which defaults to Google Search, and Microsoft Bing, was used to conduct this assessment. We focused on organic search results, and produced a dataset consisting of search results based on aforementioned variables for approximately 4 weeks (November 25 and December 20). A detailed methodology can be found in the appendix section.

Collected data reveals a consistent pattern of bias in search results across multiple geographic locations, with Indian news outlets—some of which presented one-sided, subjective, and often right-wing ideology driven reporting—disproportionately dominating the results for queries related to the Chinmoy Krishna Das case. This trend was observed despite available and pertinent coverage from reputable Bangladeshi, non-Indian and Western news sources.

On December 6, 2024, searches of terms “Chinmoy Krishna Das” and its Bangla equivalent “চিন্ময় কৃষ্ণ দাস” were conducted from Bangladesh. When the search term was entered in English, results demonstrated a clear bias, with Indian news outlets such as Times of India, The Hindu, Hindustan Times, and The Indian Express dominating both the top story carousel and the first page of search results—overshadowing factual reporting from credible Bangladeshi media outlets like The Daily Star, The Business Standard, and Prothom Alo, despite the search originating from within Bangladesh, the country where the incident originally occurred.

Source: https://techglobalinstitute.com/mission/
 
Strider said:
The below report has been compiled by Toronto-based non-profit lab, Teach Global Institute. The findings are alarming. This would lead to an age old trend where Westerners, and anyone randomly searching the Internet would view Bangladesh, or any South Asian country for that matter through the lens of India. This needs to change.

Whose Stories Count? How Google Search Erases Local Media in Bangladesh
On November 25, 2024, Bangladeshi authorities arrested Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu monk and community leader, on sedition charges—a move that sparked violent clashes between his supporters and the police, and escalated tensions between Bangladesh and India. The incident drew considerable media attention across South Asia and beyond, particularly after a lawyer was killed in Chattogram, thousands of Hindu monks in West Bengal attempted a march to the Bangladesh border, and activists in India attacked a Bangladeshi diplomatic outpost in retaliation.

This event unfolded amid heightened diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh—a historically close ally and strategic partner critical to India’s border security—following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Ultranationalist Indian voices intensified the rhetoric by accusing Bangladesh’s interim government of enabling a “Hindu genocide” despite local and Western media reporting otherwise, including a report from Tech Global Institute that found evidence of coordinated disinformation exploiting existing inter-religious tensions.

Google Search results for this incident and the broader narrative regarding the treatment of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh failed to highlight original, on-the-ground reporting from Bangladeshi sources. Instead, the search landscape was overwhelmingly dominated by Indian media outlets, including those known for heavily opinionated and subjective coverage, amplifying mis- and disinformation about the situation in Bangladesh among international quarters. This imbalanced prioritization by such a critical information gatekeeper, neglecting to account for the ground realities, accurate representation, and objective, verifiable facts, ultimately distorted the narrative surrounding this sensitive and high-stakes situation, and led to disproportionate diplomatic outrage and international responses regarding inter-religious tensions in Bangladesh and the country’s stability following the fall of the prior regime.

An insular, one-dimensional portrayal of Bangladesh, filtered through India’s politicized and nationalist-driven media and information ecosystem not only reinforces harmful stereotypes but also risks undermining Bangladesh’s diplomatic autonomy, distorting foreign policy, deterring foreign investment, and threatening its democratic transition. Yet, while widespread social media misinformation about the lead-up to and aftermath of the arrest received some scrutiny, Google Search’s performance went largely unchecked.

This report examines the platform’s search bias, the lack of algorithmic accountability, and the broader implications of these issues, particularly in the context of minority rights, disinformation, and regional and geopolitical relations.

ANALYSIS

We implemented a structured approach to analyze the purported bias in Google’s search ranking, examining geographic variations, linguistic and keyword differences, and a comparison between incognito and standard browser search results. Chrome, which defaults to Google Search, and Microsoft Bing, was used to conduct this assessment. We focused on organic search results, and produced a dataset consisting of search results based on aforementioned variables for approximately 4 weeks (November 25 and December 20). A detailed methodology can be found in the appendix section.

Collected data reveals a consistent pattern of bias in search results across multiple geographic locations, with Indian news outlets—some of which presented one-sided, subjective, and often right-wing ideology driven reporting—disproportionately dominating the results for queries related to the Chinmoy Krishna Das case. This trend was observed despite available and pertinent coverage from reputable Bangladeshi, non-Indian and Western news sources.

On December 6, 2024, searches of terms “Chinmoy Krishna Das” and its Bangla equivalent “চিন্ময় কৃষ্ণ দাস” were conducted from Bangladesh. When the search term was entered in English, results demonstrated a clear bias, with Indian news outlets such as Times of India, The Hindu, Hindustan Times, and The Indian Express dominating both the top story carousel and the first page of search results—overshadowing factual reporting from credible Bangladeshi media outlets like The Daily Star, The Business Standard, and Prothom Alo, despite the search originating from within Bangladesh, the country where the incident originally occurred.

Source: https://techglobalinstitute.com/mission/
Click to expand...

If anyone is based in North America, please report this issue to U.S Federal Trade Commission. This does not only impact Bangladesh, but has potential to impact other neighbors as well. We must gather information before complaining.

www.ftc.gov

Contact the Federal Trade Commission

The FTC will never demand money, make threats, tell you to transfer money, or promise you a prize.
www.ftc.gov www.ftc.gov
 
Some interesting point into Indian X users who are coordinating for spreading disinformation on Bangladesh. This includes NRIs like Utsav as well.

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Strider said:
Some interesting point into Indian X users who are coordinating for spreading disinformation on Bangladesh. This includes NRIs like Utsav as well.

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Click to expand...

These bastards are crucifying us. Inside and outside the country.
 
This is according to Grok after entering 'Bangladesh News'.

Notice the pattern here. It says 'concise' in the first paragraph and yet says to treat with 'caution' due to bias and misinformation.

Also, there are absolutely zero Bangladeshi sources from where the information was collected. Not even renowned news sources like The Daily Star which maintains a verified account. Some X channels like 'Megh Updates' are not news sites at all from where Grok partly collects that info.

This suggests a deliberate attempt to suppress information very similar to that of Google by someone in those institutions. And it is not difficult as to guess the national origin of the individuals in question.

These attempts appear to be coordinated and appears to be lead by someone or something. So these cannot be mere coincidences.

Here's a concise overview of recent news from Bangladesh, based on the latest web results and X posts:

These developments reflect a complex and dynamic situation in Bangladesh, with political, social, and international dimensions. Remember, the information from social media should be treated with caution due to its potential for bias or misinformation.
 
So after I input let's say 'Starlink Bangladesh', it comes up with a flurry of Bangladeshi sources. So it is not like Bangladeshi sources on X are non-existent. They exist.

But when it comes to political news, the results regarding the sources are the complete opposite (i.e., not a single Bangladeshi source reporting from the Bangladeshi ground).

@Afif @Al-Zakir @LeonBlack08 @Oscar @Musings @Joe Shearer et al.

Starlink, operated by SpaceX, has been actively pursuing opportunities to launch its satellite internet service in Bangladesh. Here's an overview based on recent developments:

As of now, while there's significant interest and ongoing regulatory processes, Starlink's service in Bangladesh is still in the preparatory stages, with a clear timeline subject to further regulatory clearances.
 
Strider said:
So after I input let's say 'Starlink Bangladesh', it comes up with a flurry of Bangladeshi sources. So it is not like Bangladeshi sources on X are non-existent. They exist.

But when it comes to political news, the results regarding the sources are the complete opposite (i.e., not a single Bangladeshi source reporting from the Bangladeshi ground).

@Afif @Al-Zakir @LeonBlack08 @Oscar @Musings @Joe Shearer et al.

Starlink, operated by SpaceX, has been actively pursuing opportunities to launch its satellite internet service in Bangladesh. Here's an overview based on recent developments:


As of now, while there's significant interest and ongoing regulatory processes, Starlink's service in Bangladesh is still in the preparatory stages, with a clear timeline subject to further regulatory clearances.
Click to expand...

You do get that this is a motivated and horrible campaign, for very murky reasons.

PS: we are doing what we can to keep this forum clean of such low-down attacks. One of the worst offenders has been banned for his incessant war-mongering.
Stay strong, and please use the reporting mechanism.
 
Last edited:
Joe Shearer said:
You do get that this is a motivated and horrible campaign, for very murky reasons.

PS: we are doing what we can to keep this forum clean of such low-down attacks. One of the worst offenders has been banned for his incessant war-mongering.
Stay strong, and please use the reporting mechanism.
Click to expand...

I trust this forum and I appreciate the team for making this place so awesome and conductive from a diverse range of views.

Though, what I do find scary is that some individuals in multi-billion dollar enterprises like Google, Twitter, and potentially even others can use their systems to control the narrative they want people to believe, ranging from everyday people to top-tier politicians.

They can do it against anyone, any community, any institution, any nation. And this trend will grow with mainstream media pushed into the sidelines. And we cannot do anything about it because those corporations happen to have more money than entire nations like Bangladesh.

I mean, I can't even make this shit up. Not even in my dreams. Lol.
 
Strider said:
So after I input let's say 'Starlink Bangladesh', it comes up with a flurry of Bangladeshi sources. So it is not like Bangladeshi sources on X are non-existent. They exist.

But when it comes to political news, the results regarding the sources are the complete opposite (i.e., not a single Bangladeshi source reporting from the Bangladeshi ground).

@Afif @Al-Zakir @LeonBlack08 @Oscar @Musings @Joe Shearer et al.

Starlink, operated by SpaceX, has been actively pursuing opportunities to launch its satellite internet service in Bangladesh. Here's an overview based on recent developments:


As of now, while there's significant interest and ongoing regulatory processes, Starlink's service in Bangladesh is still in the preparatory stages, with a clear timeline subject to further regulatory clearances.
Click to expand...

Technically Starlink has been operating “illegally” in BD and other emerging markets. They realized they cannot truly stop it so might as well regulate it and cash in.
 
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