Dhaka: The recent spate of unfounded stories in certain Indian media outlets, such as The Economic Times and India Today, alleging coups or instability within the Bangladesh Army, is 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,” the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing said in a rejoinder today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Bangladesh is a stable, democratic nation with strong institutions, including its armed forces, which have consistently demonstrated professionalism and commitment to protecting national interests, safeguarding the people, and the constitution. These sensationalist reports, which are completely devoid of factual evidence, appear to be driven by an agenda that prioritizes speculation over truth, harming the spirit of regional cooperation and mutual respect, the press wing said.
By peddling such narratives, these media outlets not only jeopardize journalistic integrity but also risk inflaming unnecessary tensions between two neighboring nations. The people of both India and Bangladesh deserve better than to be subjected to fear-mongering and divisive propaganda. It is imperative that media organizations adhere to ethical journalism, verify facts, and refrain from spreading unverified claims that damage bilateral relations, the press wing said.
“We urge these outlets to retract such stories, issue clarifications, and recommit to responsible reporting,” the rejoinder continued. “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,” the rejoinder read.