Syracuse Sun

Reporters covering the ongoing issues in Bangladesh after a pro-democracy protest overthrew the government of Sheikh Hasina should note comments from Syracuse University Professor Farhana Sultana.

Professor Sultana wrote an op-ed in The Diplomat about the misinformation targeting the democratic movement. It is entitled "Bangladesh’s New Democracy Under Threat From Flood of Misinformation" and was published today in The Diplomat magazine.

In it, she writes: “This propaganda, pervasive and multipronged, has spread across social media platforms since (President) Hasina fled. The false narratives have been so widespread that international media, pundits, intellectuals, influencers, and the general public have unwittingly propagated them.”

She further elaborates: “One of the primary focuses of this campaign has been misleading and exaggerated claims of widespread persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. While there have been tragic incidents of attacks against Hindus, many of those targeted were affiliated with Hasina’s now-disgraced Awami League party, suggesting a political, not communal, motive. Specific instances of supposed attacks on Hindu homes and temples have been debunked by reputable news sources.”

Reporters working on this topic can contact Ellen James Mbuqe at ejmbuqe@syr.edu to arrange an interview with Professor Sultana.