How a US-based outlet triggers smear campaigns against Bangladesh

A series of articles published by the International Policy Digest (IPD), a Virginia-based online magazine, has exposed a shadowy network of ghost authors peddling unchecked narratives about Bangladesh’s post-uprising political landscape. 

The pieces, which include personal attacks on Bangladesh’s central bank governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur and critiques of the interim government, have been widely circulated in Bangladeshi media and social media, fuelling disinformation campaigns allegedly linked to Awami League loyalists.  

The phantom bylines 

Since August 5, 2024, at least ten articles critical of Bangladesh’s interim government have appeared on IPD under pseudonyms with no verifiable identities. Profile photos used by these authors were traced back to stock image libraries like Shutterstock and Freepik, and none of the writers had any digital footprint—no social media profiles, professional histories, or contact information.  

One such piece, published on January 31, 2025, by “Tim Larkin,” accused Dr Mansur of hypocrisy for advocating anti-corruption measures while his daughter allegedly lived in luxury abroad. Another article, penned by “Kristopher O’Brian” on February 18, questioned Mansur’s qualifications as an unelected banker steering the economy during a crisis. 

Both authors are phantoms—non-existent individuals whose sole purpose appears to be amplifying propaganda.  

When contacted by investigative platform Dismislab, IPD Editor-in-Chief John Lyman admitted that fake authors may slip through due to the outlet’s reliance on trust-based vetting. With nearly 3,000 contributors, he explained, anonymity requests are sometimes granted without rigorous background checks.  

Targeting Ahsan Mansur 

Dr Mansur emerged as a central figure in this smear campaign. In early March, he travelled to the UK to address the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Responsible Tax and Corruption, urging action to recover funds allegedly laundered by cronies of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Three IPD articles coinciding with his trip targeted him directly:  

- “A House of Glass” (January 31): Contrasted Mansur’s anti-corruption stance with claims of his daughter’s lavish lifestyle overseas.  

- “The Unelected Banker” (February 18): Attacked Mansur’s credentials and economic policies.  

- “The Missing Transparency” (March 13): Questioned his credibility ahead of the APPG meeting, insinuating favouritism toward his family’s wealth.  

These narratives gained traction when British newspaper The Guardian reported on March 24 that members of the APPG received emails linking to these articles, sent by an anonymous “journalist” and a PR firm reluctant to disclose its client. MPs expressed concern over what they described as a coordinated disinformation effort.  

Bangladesh media amplifies ghost narratives 

Within days of publication, Tim Larkin’s “House of Glass” was republished in Bangladeshi outlets like BD Digest, Khaborer Kagoj, and SA TV. Social media platforms lit up, with banned groups like Bangladesh Students’ League sharing the content. 

Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son of exiled former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, amplified the story within hours, posting it on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.  

Professor A Al Mamun of Rajshahi University called the operation a calculated propaganda drive reminiscent of tactics uncovered in a 2023 AFP exposé on fake experts flooding websites ahead of elections. “This is the same playbook with a new twist,” he said.  

Dismislab’s sting operation exposes IPD’s loopholes 

To test IPD’s editorial oversight, Dismislab submitted two fabricated articles under fake identities:  

1. “The United Nations and the Politics of Conflict Reporting”: Written under the pseudonym “Sarah Sunehra Zaman,” the piece accused the UN of bias in its report on Bangladesh’s July uprising, citing debunked claims such as 3,000 post-August deaths and a pregnant police officer’s murder. Despite containing multiple falsehoods, the article was accepted, retitled “Does the United Nations Have a Bias Problem?” and published on February 24. It was later picked up by Bangladeshi outlet BDReports24 before being retracted.  

2. “Najib Khan’s Praise for NCP”: Submitted under another phantom name, this article lauded the National Citizen Party (NCP). As of March 25, it remains unpublished, though Lyman cited delays caused by a family emergency disrupting his editing process.  

Lyman responded to Dismislab’s findings on March 24, acknowledging errors but downplaying their significance: “Mistakes happen—but they’re fixable.” However, critics argue that IPD’s lax vetting allows misinformation to proliferate unchecked.  

The fallout 

The consequences of IPD’s porous gatekeeping extend beyond Bangladesh. Local media outlets blindly reproduce foreign content without verification, while social media amplifies unverified claims, creating echo chambers of misinformation. Dr Mansur’s case highlights how personal reputations—and broader political narratives—are weaponised in destabilisation efforts.  

Experts warn that this is not unique to IPD but symptomatic of a larger issue in digital publishing. Platforms prioritising clicks over credibility risk becoming conduits for propaganda, undermining public trust in journalism and governance alike.  

As Bangladesh navigates its fragile transition, the stakes are high. Without stricter accountability from outlets like IPD—and greater vigilance from local media—the ghosts will continue writing Bangladesh’s story, truth or not.