Bangladesh Truth Seeker
Bangladeshi journalist Qadaruddin Shishir investigates extrajudicial killings and disinformation following 2024 protests that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He has launched an independent organisation to debunk fake news and mentor fact-checkers as Bangladesh undergoes political transition.
Bangladesh is navigating significant political change following student-led protests in 2024 that resulted in the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Within this context of institutional rebuilding, journalist Qadaruddin Shishir has positioned himself as a key voice in combating misinformation and investigating alleged extrajudicial killings that occurred during the period of unrest.
Shishir's work centres on identifying and debunking false narratives circulating online, a task he views as essential to restoring public confidence in institutions and democratic processes. Recognising the scale of disinformation challenges facing the nation, he has established an independent organisation dedicated to fact-checking and media literacy efforts.
Beyond his own investigative work, Shishir is committed to building institutional capacity for truth-seeking. His organisation focuses on training and mentoring a new cohort of fact-checkers who can sustain these efforts as Bangladesh continues its political transition. He frames this generational investment as critical to safeguarding democratic integrity during a period of significant institutional change.
Bell watches registries and rules change in near-real-time.