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Strategies for countering Indian media’s disinformation against Bangladesh

Published : Saturday, 7 December, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 393
Rajeev Ahmed
Part-1

In recent days, Bangladesh has found itself at the center of an intensifying information warfare campaign originating from Indian media. Amid this onslaught of disinformation, the challenge of safeguarding the nation's reputation and combating false narratives looms large, made all the more difficult by the constraints of its limited resources.However, despite these constraints, there are numerous intelligent and cost-effective strategies that Bangladesh can employ to navigate this crisis, ensure resilience against future disinformation efforts, and protect its national narrative on the global stage. The key lies in leveraging existing assets, forming strategic partnerships, fostering transparency, and investing in long-term capacity building. To understand the gravity of such a situation, it's helpful to look at global examples where countries have faced similar challenges, and the lessons they provide.

One prominent example of information warfare between countries is the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, particularly during the 2019 Pulwama attack and the subsequent military standoff. Following the attack, in which a suicide bomber killed 40 Indian paramilitary officers in Kashmir, India claimed to have carried out airstrikes on a terrorist training camp in Balakot, Pakistan. India released satellite imagery and videos to back up its claim. Pakistan, in turn, denied that the airstrikes caused significant damage and retaliated with its own evidence and narrative, claiming that India's claims were fabricated. 

Both countries used media outlets and social media platforms to shape public opinion and justify their actions. India used international media to strengthen its position by portraying the strikes as a legitimate response to terrorism, while Pakistan used its own media apparatus to deny the strikes and blame India for escalating the situation. The rapid spread of conflicting narratives led to a war of words and images that played out on a global stage, influencing international perceptions of both countries. Bangladesh can learn from this example by ensuring that it responds swiftly with verified information during any crisis, emphasizing transparency and credibility to counter any misleading or hostile narratives.

A further example is the ongoing information warfare between the United States and China, particularly regarding trade, technology, and the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the early stages of the pandemic, there was widespread speculation and competing narratives over the virus's origins, with China and the United States exchanging blame for the outbreak. 

The U.S. government and various media outlets, including some prominent figures, sought to cast doubt on China's transparency regarding the virus's spread, suggesting that the country had covered up the extent of the outbreak. In response, China's state-controlled media launched a campaign to counter these accusations, accusing the U.S. of politicizing the issue and spreading unfounded claims. Both sides used diplomatic channels, social media, and press releases to promote their respective narratives, further deepening the rift. In such a context, countries engaged in information warfare use media to shape international opinions, create distrust, and gain the upper hand in geopolitical struggles. Bangladesh can learn from this by developing its own media strategy, ensuring it is prepared to respond swiftly with factual, clear, and transparent information in times of international tension.

These global examples offer invaluable insights into the tactics and implications of information warfare. While each situation is unique, the underlying theme is clear: controlling the narrative and spreading disinformation can have a profound impact on public opinion and international relations. In light of these examples, Bangladesh can take several steps to counter the information warfare and defend its image on the global stage.

The first step Bangladesh must take is to proactively define and build its national narrative. In the age of digital media, it is not enough to react to disinformation; a nation must assert its voice and make its case before others do. Bangladesh, with its rich cultural and historical heritage, can promote a narrative of diversity, tolerance, and human rights. By emphasizing its long-standing commitment to social justice and human rights, the government can present a compelling story of social harmony to both its own citizens and the international community. These efforts should focus on showcasing the country's inclusive policies, the protection of minority rights, and its thriving civil society. 

Given the limited resources at its disposal, Bangladesh should focus on digital diplomacy and social media outreach to build a global network of support. In today's world, where traditional media often has limited reach, digital platforms offer a powerful means of counteracting misinformation. By engaging with the global public through social media platforms such as X ( formerly Twitter), Facebook, and YouTube, Bangladesh can bypass traditional media and speak directly to millions. Creating multilingual social media accounts and reaching out to influencers, academics, and human rights advocates worldwide can amplify the country's voice. 

These platforms allow for real-time responses to disinformation, allowing Bangladesh to swiftly and effectively debunk false narratives. In fact, social media's low cost makes it a particularly suitable tool for a country with limited financial resources. Hashtags and online campaigns like #BangladeshForAll or #UnityInDiversity could go viral, helping to counter negative portrayals and build an alternate narrative grounded in truth and transparency.

Another crucial avenue for Bangladesh to explore is the mobilization of its vast diaspora. The Bangladeshi diaspora is a powerful resource that spans countries across the world, particularly in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. These communities have a unique position to act as ambassadors of the country's values and can counter misinformation by spreading accurate, positive information about Bangladesh. By organizing campaigns and media outreach in countries where the diaspora is concentrated, 

Bangladesh can use these global citizens to amplify its voice on social media and in discussions about its governance. The diaspora can serve as grassroots advocates, presenting personal testimonies, showcasing the country's achievements, and correcting misconceptions. Furthermore, the diaspora's strong presence in various international media outlets can help Bangladesh's message reach an even wider audience.

(To be continued)

The writer is Editor of Geopolits.com and the author of the book titled Bengal Nexus



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