Staff Reporter:
The interim government has strongly denounced the recent spate of unfounded stories in certain Indian media outlets such as The Economic Times, India Today and others alleging coups or instability within the Bangladesh Army, describing those as not only baseless but also deeply irresponsible.
“Such disinformation campaigns undermine the principles of non-interference and severely diminish respect while also eroding the credibility of the media outlets involved,” reads a statement issued by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Thursday.
Bangladesh is a stable, democratic nation with strong institutions, including its armed forces that have consistently demonstrated professionalism and commitment to protecting national interests, safeguarding the people and the constitution, it said.
These sensationalist reports that are completely devoid of factual evidence appear to be driven by an agenda, which prioritises speculation over truth, harming the spirit of regional cooperation and mutual respect, the statement said.
By peddling such narratives, these media outlets not only jeopardise journalistic integrity but also risk inflaming unnecessary tensions between the two neighbouring nations, it added.
The people of both India and Bangladesh deserve better than to be subjected to fear-mongering and divisive propaganda. It is imperative that media organisations adhere to ethical journalism, verify facts and refrain from spreading unverified claims that damage bilateral relations.
The government urged these outlets to retract such stories, issue clarifications and recommit to responsible reporting. “If creating rifts is the sole purpose of such propagandist outlets, both nations need to unequivocally abhor, dispel and discredit them. Ignoring such propaganda in the plea of free speech is tolerance of radical misinformation.”
