FactFest 2026: Bangladesh Fact-Checking Conference begins today at BCDM in Savar, bringing together fact-checkers, students, academics and information integrity practitioners for two days of discussion and exchange on misinformation and disinformation in Bangladesh.
The programme features at least 14 sessions, including panel discussions, a roundtable and three workshops. Day 1 is open to fact-checkers, information integrity practitioners and university students, while Day 2 will be a closed-door programme for fact-checkers.
Panel discussions on Day 1 will be streamed live on Facebook. Follow the live broadcast on our Facebook page.
Here is the panel discussion line-up for the opening day.
Day 1: September 27, 2026
Truth, Trust, and Democratic Transition: The Role of Fact-Checking in Strengthening Public Trust
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
If truth is essential to democratic participation, what does it take for citizens to trust the institutions and people who produce, verify and communicate information?
The question of truth and trust is particularly important for Bangladesh now as the country navigates a democratic transition. Political polarisation remains high, while confidence in the media and other institutions has been under strain. The spread of misinformation and disinformation can deepen political and social divisions and weaken democratic debate.
The panelists will bring together perspectives from academia, diplomacy, and governance to examine how political polarisation, misinformation and declining trust in media and institutions are shaping Bangladesh’s information environment during a period of democratic transition. It will also look at the role of fact-checking in a contested political and information environment where their independence and credibility are often attacked and questioned.
Speakers:
- Sheela Tasneem Haq, Senior Governance Specialist, UNDP Bangladesh
- Din M. Sumon Rahman, PhD, Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Head of Media Studies and Journalism at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
- Tasnim Jara, Doctor and young politician
- Paul Rapacioli, Director, Fojo Media Institute
Moderator:
Miraj Ahmed Chowdhury, Managing Director, Digitally Right
Engineering Reality: Information Warfare and the Fragility of Trust in Democratic Transitions
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Misinformation and disinformation are not always isolated false claims. They can also be used systematically to influence public opinion, shape political narratives, discredit opponents and weaken trust in democratic institutions. During periods of political transition, when institutions and public expectations are already under pressure, such efforts can have an even greater impact on how people understand events and make political choices.
This panel will explore how political actors, governments, organised networks and other groups use information as a tool of influence and political warfare. Drawing on international experience and recent developments in Bangladesh, the discussion will examine how coordinated narratives, fabricated media content, impersonation, misleading visual material and other forms of manipulation can be used to create confusion, reinforce existing divisions and influence how citizens perceive political events.
Panelists will bring together perspectives on political warfare, fact-checking, journalism, platform and digital policy, and regional experience and discuss how these tactics are changing with new technologies, how coordinated information operations can be identified, and where the line lies between political persuasion, propaganda and information manipulation.
Speakers:
- Dr. Gregory John Simons, Professor, Department of Journalism, Media and Communication, Daffodil International University
- Qadaruddin Shishir, Editor, The Dissent
- Swasti Chatterjee, Deputy Editor (News), BOOM FactCheck
- Rydwanul Islam, Senior Fact-checker, FactWatch
Moderator:
Dr. Abdul Kabil Khan, Associate Professor, Department of Journalism, Media and Communication, Daffodil International University
Gendered Disinformation in the Political Landscape
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Gendered disinformation can silence women, distort political discourse, and reinforce traditional power imbalances. Unlike standard political misinformation, which typically focuses on policy, corruption, or ideology, gendered disinformation weaponizes sexualized narratives, misogynistic tropes, and character assassination to undermine a woman’s competence and morality. By threatening the safety and reputation of female public figures, these campaigns create severe chilling effects across democratic spaces. Combating this threat requires a multi-faceted analysis bringing together empirical verification, academic research, and lived political experience.
The panel will examine the linguistic and algorithmic patterns that drive gender-targeted smear campaigns, the real-world impact of online harassment on women’s retention and leadership in public office, and structural gaps in digital content moderation, fact-checking methodologies, and political party protections. It will also explore collaborative strategies among media, academia, and policymakers to counter gendered political abuse, bringing together empirical verification, academic research, and lived political experience.
Speakers:
- Noshin Tabassum, Research Officer, Dismislab
- Anwara Parvin, Fact Checker, FactWatch
- Tajnuva Jabeen, organiser, Alternatives
Moderator:
Abdullah Titir, Head of Research, Digitally Right