FactWatch Flags Misleading Edits of Tarique Rahman’s Karnaphuli Tunnel Remarks

FactWatch has identified what it described as an attempt to spread confusion by selectively and misleadingly circulating remarks made by Tarique Rahman.

According to FactWatch, the Prime Minister was not referring to the Karnaphuli Tunnel itself. Rather, he had commented on the “very standard and quite luxurious” apartments or buildings constructed on the other side of the tunnel.

Quoting the Prime Minister, FactWatch stated that he had said: “Very standard, quite luxurious apartments or buildings have been constructed on the other side of the tunnel, which were unnecessary. Several hundred crore taka were spent there.”

The FactWatch investigation team said the statement has been circulated in a fragmented manner through photo cards published by several national and Chattogram-based local media outlets, as well as through various social media accounts.

Fact-checking organisations have observed that following the mass uprising of 2024, the spread of false information related to Bangladesh has increased across local and international media platforms, social media accounts, and some Facebook pages. According to them, after the formation of the government, much of the misinformation has specifically targeted the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

FactWatch has been working to combat rumours and misinformation currently circulating in the country. The organisation is an independent fact-checking initiative approved by University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB) and operated by the Center for Critical and Qualitative Studies (CQS).

Recently, incidents involving fake videos, misleading information, and rumours spreading on social media have increased significantly. FactWatch said it continues to regularly verify such claims, present factual information, and work to counter misinformation.

DBTech/DM/EK/OR