Disinformation Campaign Targets Bangladesh PM’s Son During Home Visit

A recent visit to Bangladesh by Sajeeb Wazed, son of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a key architect of the country’s digital transformation, has sparked a flurry of online disinformation targeting him and his family.

Wazed, who serves as the Prime Minister's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Adviser, was in Dhaka last week to present the inaugural Joy Bangla Youth Awards, honoring young activists and social entrepreneurs. By several accounts, his appearance generated enthusiasm both online and in person.

However, it also seems to have triggered a coordinated disinformation campaign across social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube. Unverified stories and speculation have circulated about everything from Wazed's personal life to false corruption allegations to the purpose of his Bangladesh trip.

According to political analysts, this is likely an attempt by opposition groups, especially the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), to sow confusion among the public. They point to figures like former BNP assistant press secretary Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey repeatedly pushing disinformation narratives online.

Some offshore websites also appear to be fueling the efforts. One portal called Northeast News published an article claiming the US had given Prime Minister Hasina a November 3rd deadline to resign. During Wazed's visit, Indian journalist Chandan Nandy termed the trip "mysterious," despite Wazed having a clear public agenda around the youth awards events.

Other storylines pushed across platforms included "Bangladesh PM to flee the country," "Hasina seeking shelter in India," and "Sheikh Hasina has made the country into a vassal state of India." One YouTube channel, NagorikTV, ran videos making dramatic claims about impending civil war and disaster under Hasina’s continued leadership.

As the guiding force behind Digital Bangladesh, Wazed has spearheaded efforts to digitize governance, commerce, healthcare, education, and finance nationwide over the past decade. Bangladeshis have benefitted enormously from this digital integration, especially during the COVID pandemic. Critics allege Wazed's elevated profile and behind-the-scenes influence have made him a target for opposition attacks.

Supporters counter that the innovative digital systems he’s helped develop have kept Bangladesh resilient through global crises. They say the disinformation campaigns are intended to destabilize a status quo that’s working.

The recent youth awards event, run by Wazed’s thinktank Centre for Research and Information (CRI), highlighted young activists tackling major social issues like educating street children and empowering marginalized communities. Experts note positive stories like this undermine opposition attempts to portray the ruling party as disconnected from ordinary citizens’ concerns.

As the son of Bangladesh’s longest-serving Prime Minister works to groom the next generation of leaders and activists, he’s fast becoming a symbol of future progress for supporters and stability for detractors. This perhaps explains why he’s attracting escalating disinformation efforts even during straightforward home visits. With a national election looming next year, such campaigns seem likely to intensify in months ahead.

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