Fact First: PIB Launches BanglaFact Website Amid Media Debate

The Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) has launched a dedicated website for its fact-checking initiative ‘Bangla Fact’, expanding the project beyond social media to strengthen the fight against misinformation and promote truth verification.

The website was inaugurated on Thursday, October 9, during the PIB’s publication festival and discussion event titled “Media in July and Beyond”. Information Adviser Md. Mahfuz Alam officially unveiled the platform, which greets visitors with a virtual fireworks display. In addition to fact-checking, the website features tabs for explainers, analyses, investigations, media literacy, and video content.

The event, held under the chairmanship of PIB Board Chairman Ferdous Azim, was attended by Director General Faruq Wasif, economist Mahbub Ullah, writer and academic Prof. Salimullah Khan, and researcher-writer Saimum Parvez. Conducted by PIB’s Information and Research Officer Sahul Ahmed Munna, the ceremony also marked the launch of five publications on the July mass uprising: “Tarikhe July”, “July Mass Uprising and Political Intellectualism”, “Niriksha: Uprising Media Narrative”, “The Journalists We Lost”, and “Chronicle 2024.” PIB Senior Trainer Golam Morshed presented an overview of these works.

Speaking as the chief guest, Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuz Alam said, “The uproar over television licenses today comes from those tied to the old order—people who want no new faces or voices to emerge. We understand that. I made it clear yesterday, and even if I remain in government for a single day, I will ensure the launch of new media. Since we did not shut down fascist media, we will create new ones.”

He added, “Through new media, new voices and narratives will emerge. There will be a battle of ideas, not violence. As we have avoided violence, we will engage in the struggle of discourse versus discourse, thought versus thought. We believe we will prevail. These are clear words—there is no ambiguity here.”

Expressing frustration over how “mob violence” has been framed in the media as an outcome of the July mass uprising, the adviser said, “The term ‘mob violence’ is now being linked to the July uprising a year later. Even political rallies are being called mobs, especially in reference to the assault on one party leader, Nurul Haque Nur. From this notion of ‘mob violence,’ several narratives are being built. You may recall that on August 6 or 8, Sajeeb Wazed Joy made a post calling it ‘mobocracy’. Today, Bangladesh is being pushed back into that term. Perhaps we failed to manage some aspects of this.”

Economist Mahbub Ullah, speaking as a special guest, remarked, “Even mobs have a sociology. Mao Zedong once said, ‘A revolution is not a dinner party.’ What happened in July was far less than that. But if fascism rises again, another mass uprising may become inevitable.”

In his address, thinker and writer Prof. Salimullah Khan stated, “The constitution has been amended many times, yet some fear adopting a new one as if the country would sink into the Bay of Bengal if we did. One day, July’s events may even be portrayed as a fundamentalist revolution. Some are already calling it a Taliban uprising. Professor Muhammad Yunus has shown his wit, saying, ‘I have no beard—how did I become head of a Taliban government?’ Unlike other revolutions that led to mass killings, such violence did not follow ours. Those shouting ‘mob, mob’ should not accuse me of inciting violence.”

Researcher and author Saimum Parvez noted, “Under Sheikh Hasina’s rule, the highest number of victims were political activists, followed by journalists. While some media workers served fascist interests, a significant number fulfilled their professional duties honestly and faced attacks and harassment for it. The July uprising rekindled hope for democratic awakening. Despite divisions among political parties, a spirit of dialogue and unity is emerging. Let this persist—let future competition be based on policy.”

Delivering the welcome speech, PIB Director General Faruq Wasif said, “The July uprising will leave a long-lasting impact on society. Yet many in the media seem uncomfortable confronting such immense sacrifice. The history of July remains incompletely captured by the press.”

He added, “While the flames of July still burn within society and politics, they are least visible in the media. Supporters of mass killings still appear in the press. The unrepentance of fascist-aligned media continues to stir public resentment.”