Dhaka: BanglaFact, the fact-checking body and media research team of the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB), has identified a claim of misreporting concerning a speech made by Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury about women.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BanglaFact revealed that a local media outlet, Barta Bazar, is under scrutiny for misrepresenting a statement made by the Home Affairs Adviser. The controversy arises from a photo card and article published by Barta Bazar on June 10, titled "Most Women in Stylish Dresses Are Involved in Drugs: Home Affairs Adviser". The article suggested that the adviser made a generalized statement about women based on their attire.
The remarks by the Home Affairs Adviser were made during a press briefing after his visit to the Kashimpur Women's Prison on June 10. He stated, "I think most of the detainees are involved in drugs. The women I saw here, you can see, they are wearing stylish dresses, most of them are involved with drugs."
BanglaFact's investigation clarified that the adviser's comments were specifically about female prisoners in the facility, not a broader statement about women in general or those outside the prison. The report emphasized that some media outlets misinterpreted the adviser's comments, thereby spreading false messages and misleading the public.