Inviting ambassadors from various countries stationed in Dhaka to talk shows and perplexing them with deliberate questions, endorsing misinformation without offering counterarguments, and publicizing provocative segments of the talk shows with sensational headlines on social media are not actions exclusive to YouTubers. Presenter Zillur Rahman, acclaimed as the ‘Disinformation Fighter,’ has been involved in such practices, supported by funding from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a private organization in the USA. Instances of these activities have been observed on social media platforms over the past year.
Although he assumes the role of a host, Zillur Rahman consistently presents himself as a journalist. He leads the Center for Governance Studies (CGS), financed by the US-based non-governmental organization NED.
As per the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), fact-checkers are expected to maintain objectivity and impartiality, both on social media and in personal interactions (source: https://en.unesco.org/fightfakenews). However, Zillur Rahman appears to diverge significantly from this standard. Recently, through his personal social media account, he hinted at the possibility of a Bengal Spring akin to the Arab Spring. Analysts interpret this as a deliberate provocation aligned with certain political parties. They argue that the US intervention under the guise of the Arab Spring led to destabilization in the Middle East. Consequently, critics fear that such rhetoric could incite unrest in Bangladesh. Labeling it as the Bengal Spring may inadvertently endorse the notion of welcoming the destruction of one’s own country, posing risks to national stability.
Not only has Zillur discussed the Arab Spring, but he has also frequently addressed US intervention in Bangladesh on his talk shows and personal social media platforms. In doing so, he appeared to cast doubt on Bangladesh’s sovereignty.
The host of the program ‘Tritiyo Matra’, Zillur, has been observed advocating for the Jamaat-BNP alliance on numerous occasions. Similar to the stances of both parties, he has disseminated rumors on social media about various issues. His content notably includes an interview with Colonel Abdur Rashid, the perpetrator of the assassination of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. This interview was conducted in Pakistan, where Zillur Rahman afforded the murderer an opportunity to plead innocence and present his perspective. Broadcasting the interview of an individual convicted by the Bangladeshi court was perceived as an attempt to challenge the judiciary. Analysts highlight that no democratic nation has ever witnessed such a disgraceful act of recording an interview with a fugitive accused. Additionally, this action may be viewed as contempt of court. Nonetheless, such behavior is not unprecedented for Zillur. Through his talk show and personal social media accounts, he has frequently posed sarcastic inquiries about various judicial proceedings in the country.
Earlier, Zillur Rahman presented Shahed, the chairman of Regent Group, as a ‘political analyst’ on the talk show, despite Shahed’s involvement in deceiving patients seeking treatment and tests during the Coronavirus pandemic. Shahed has been a recurring figure on ‘Tritiyo Matra’ since 2015, and even his widely circulated statements on social media were propagated through the program.
Two years ago, in response to questions about these matters during a press conference, Zillur Rahman commented, “I do not care about these things. I don’t have time to dwell on them. If you dwelling on these matters, you cannot move forward.”
Meanwhile, Zillur Rahman, as the director of an institution named CGS, frequently organizes round table meetings. Numerous speakers who have taken part in these discussions have voiced their dissatisfaction with his behavior and the manner in which he poses questions during the round table sessions. They have also noted that Zillur frequently edits parts of the speeches delivered during the round table conferences, resulting in a distortion of the intended message.
Furthermore, there are accusations leveled against CGS, suggesting that they engage in deliberate biased sampling and manipulate the presentation of study findings. Subsequently, utilizing such research outcomes, they pose politically motivated questions to diplomats from various countries. Zillur Rahman then selectively disseminates speeches or excerpts from diplomats’ remarks through social media platforms according to his preferences.
Over the past few months, the video titles, captions, and thumbnails shared by Zillur Rahman on his talk show ‘Tritiyo Matra’ and personal profile can be broadly categorized into three themes. One of these themes suggests that Western countries, including the US and UK, are poised to take action against Bangladesh, predicting an imminent downfall of the government and a subsequent loss of press freedom in the country. The funny thing is Zillur Rahman repeatedly forecasts the date of the government’s fall from within the country’s territory. Simultaneously, the narrative of foreign intervention is consistently promoted. Despite facing no repercussions thus far, he continues to assert that the country’s media lacks freedom.
The American organization NED has been providing funding to various institutions in Bangladesh, both in the past and currently, citing these endeavors as core activities in safeguarding democracy. Notably, several forums, including the US State Department, have recently highlighted rumors, disinformation, and misinformation as significant challenges to democracy. As a self-proclaimed Disinfo Fighter, Zillur Rahman should have been at the forefront of combating these issues. However, instead of fulfilling this role, he is accused of disseminating fake news and inaccurate information through NED funding and further misleading the public by sharing videos with sensational titles and thumbnails designed to attract clicks. Media experts argue that as a presenter, posing questions such as “Is the government falling by February?” inherently reflects a biased stance rather than maintaining neutrality. Zillur’s propensity to create videos featuring such questions raises doubts about his impartiality and objectivity as a presenter, according to analysts.