Dhaka: The Press Institute Bangladesh's (PIB) fact-checking and media research team, BanglaFact, has uncovered the spread of propaganda involving the distorted comments of BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BanglaFact verified that Mirza Fakhrul's comments were circulated in a distorted manner. A photocard designed to resemble Channel 24 was recently shared on social media platform Facebook, falsely claiming that Mirza Fakhrul commented, 'After listening to Dr Yunus's speech at the United Nations, I felt that he came here to spread false messages by spending money unnecessary.'
The BanglaFact investigation established that Channel 24 did not publish any such photocard or news. Moreover, Mirza Fakhrul did not make the alleged comments. The photocard originally published on Channel 24's verified Facebook page on September 28 was titled 'After listening to Dr Yunus, I felt like I was listening to Ziaur Rahman: Mirza Fakhrul.' This was digitally altered, and the photocard was fabricated by modifying the title.
The report found in the comments section of Channel 24's photocard stated, 'While listening to Dr Yunus' speech at the Business Forum meeting, I repeatedly felt like I was listening to the words of martyred President Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimer of this country's independence. We heard the echo of the dream he had of building a democratic, prosperous and poverty-free Bangladesh in Dr Yunus's voice that day.' Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made these remarks during a session of the event titled 'NRB Connect Day: Empowering Global Bangladeshis' in New York on Saturday, September 27.
BanglaFact identified the distortion and dissemination of Mirza Fakhrul's comments through a fake photocard mimicking the design of Channel 24.