In the aftermath of the 2026 Bangladesh election, a significant revelation emerged – the influence of elections extends beyond the confines of polling booths to encompass the information landscape that envelops voters in the lead-up to casting their votes.
The contemporary Bangladeshi society is immersed in an unprecedented era of information abundance. With the widespread use of smartphones, the proliferation of news websites and YouTube channels, and the dominance of social media as a primary news source for a substantial portion of the populace, a surplus of information now characterizes the environment. However, this surplus does not inherently breed trust; instead, it has fostered an environment of “information disorder.” In this environment, professional journalism contends with partisan propaganda, coordinated disinformation, and rumors on common platforms, vying for attention and often overshadowing genuine information.
The discord within the information ecosystem became palpable during the February election. Fact-checking organizations like Dismislab, Rumor Scanner, and FactWatch conducted real-time debunking operations, flagging numerous false claims circulated through platforms such as Facebook and Telegram in the days leading to the polls. Instances of fabricated ballot-stuffing videos, forged statements regarding lockdowns and polling center closures, and a multitude of election-related disinformation were exposed. The Daily Star alone identified and documented 24 instances of election-related disinformation on one night, escalating to 100 distinct items on polling day, including manipulated news agency photocards, edited videos, and various deepfakes.
The primary takeaway from this scenario is clear – the challenge lies not in access to information but in ensuring the credibility and integrity of the information that individuals ultimately receive and trust.
The prevalence of information disorder during the election did not arise in isolation but emerged within a media landscape already grappling with structural and political upheavals. Acts of violence, such as the attacks on the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star in Dhaka in December 2025, where mobs set the buildings ablaze, underscored broader concerns about the safety and freedom of journalists. Such incidents signaled a stark message that journalism could face physical repercussions for deviating from certain narratives.
In response to these challenges, both local and international entities raised concerns. Unesco expressed apprehension regarding journalists’ safety in the lead-up to the election, citing previous attacks on media establishments and emphasizing the risks journalists encounter during political turmoil. Recommendations were submitted to the Election Commission and Unesco by a coalition led by ARTICLE 19 and other organizations, advocating for specific measures to safeguard journalists’ well-being and working conditions during the electoral period.
Preemptively, Unesco and local partners endeavored to establish protective mechanisms, offering journalists mental health support and assistance in addressing legal harassment and threats. Such initiatives hold significance as the safety and security of journalists play a pivotal role in shaping the scope of reportage. Threats to physical, legal, and psychological well-being often impede investigative journalism and critical discourse, contributing to a global trend of declining freedom of expression and heightened self-censorship among journalists, a trend mirrored in Bangladesh.
A critical aspect often overlooked but of equal importance is the political economy of media. The Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI) highlighted the fragile state of many Bangladeshi media outlets. A trust survey linked to MRDI in 2022 revealed a growing reliance on online and social media sources among audiences, coupled with lingering concerns about their accuracy. The survey also underscored the tension between the demand for online engagement and the necessity for fact verification.
Both international research and local commentary echo a common sentiment – the proliferation of voices does not inherently translate to enhanced democracy. The contemporary media landscape in Bangladesh features a diverse array of platforms, from mainstream newspapers to partisan YouTube channels and anonymous Telegram groups. Nevertheless, this diversity operates within a framework of algorithmic structures that incentivize sensationalism and emotional content, complicating the quest for credible information. Concerns have been raised by Bangladeshi editors and legal experts regarding the role of bots and coordinated networks in shaping public opinion, thereby exerting pressure on politicians and journalists alike. The pervasiveness of domestic and cross-border disinformation underscores the imperative for ensuring that citizens have access to accurate, contextualized, and credible information enabling informed decision-making.
The 2026 election underscored the efficacy and constraints of fact-checking initiatives. While debunking operations targeted numerous viral claims in real-time and received amplification from various media outlets, disinformation campaigns continued to target undecided voters by exploiting religious affiliations, nationalism, and apprehensions of instability. Although media literacy plays a crucial role, it alone cannot counterbalance the divergent forces of economic incentives and political agendas.
With a voter turnout exceeding 60 percent in the 2026 election, it is evident that citizens exhibit a continued interest in formal politics and are willing to engage in the democratic process. The pivotal question now pertains to the impact of the evolving political landscape on media integrity. Blaming the media as a whole or idealizing journalists as
