The National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a US-based non-governmental organization dedicated to safeguarding democracy, states on its website that it is committed to this cause. However, despite the US State Department identifying rumors and misinformation as significant threats to global democracy, certain entities supported by NED funding, along with individuals connected to them, are disseminating misinformation. This misinformation is fueling the propagation of rumors across social media platforms.
Among the individuals linked to the dissemination of rumors in Bangladesh through NED funding are David Bergman and Tasneem Khalil from the Netra News portal along with Zulkarnain Saer Khan (Sami), head of Center for Governance Studies (CGS) Zillur Rahman, Mushfiq Fazal Ansari from Right to Freedom (R2F), former US diplomat William Milam, and his associate Jon Danilowicz.
Zulkarnain Saer, primarily a businessman, has transitioned into an online activist for the BNP, engaging in organized attacks on newspapers. He vehemently criticizes journalists via social media platforms to suppress unfavorable coverage of the BNP-Jamaat alliance while seeking international backing. Frequently, he presents himself as a journalist affiliated with Netra News, a platform recognized for its agenda-driven approach, spearheaded by Dr. Kamal Hossain’s son-in-law. Additionally, Saer has been reported to have issued threats to a journalist in recent times.
Saer is engaged in various projects, including the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, which receives funding from George Soros, one of the wealthiest individuals globally, and a figure of controversy. Soros has been implicated in the Asian financial crisis, which erupted in 1997 in Thailand with the collapse of the country’s currency, the baht. This crisis subsequently spread to other nations across Asia.
As reported by Jugantor, Saer was arrested in 2006 on charges related to financial misconduct. Additionally, at the age of 17, Sami was apprehended while attempting to steal trousers belonging to an army officer. Furthermore, his involvement in illegal wildlife trade was substantiated in 2000. Despite these incidents, Netra News, supported by NED funding, collaborates with him.
Zillur Rahman, head of the Center for Governance Studies (CGS), is identified as another key figure perpetuating panic in Bangladesh through the distortion of information. Under the guise of a ‘disinfo fighter’ or anti-rumor campaigner, Rahman conducts these activities with support from the U.S.-based private organization, the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). Zillur Rahman hosts a talk-show called Tritiyo Matra, but poses as a journalist.
Recently, through his personal Facebook account, he hinted at the possibility of a Bengal Spring akin to the Arab Spring. Analysts interpret this as a deliberate provocation. 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, by fulfilling the dream of opposition party alliance. Despite claiming neutrality, Rahman’s messaging aligns closely with opposition’s narrative.
Furthermore, Zillur Rahman has consistently discussed the possibility of U.S. intervention in Bangladesh through both his talk shows and personal statements. He has even suggested that such intervention could occur in Bangladesh. Despite the U.S. State Department completely dismissing the notion of a Bengal Spring akin to the Arab Spring, Zillur continues to propagate it on his personal social media accounts.
This host of Tritiyo Matra has been observed advocating for Jamaat-BNP on multiple occasions. Similar to both parties, he also distorts information on various issues through social media. The online activists of Jamaat-BNP often derive their rumors from the content he generates. However, despite receiving NED funds and presenting himself as a ‘Disinfo Fighter’, Zillur Rahman has never been seen speaking out against this form of propaganda.
During the military-backed caretaker government, Zillur Rahman, the presenter, faced criticism for conducting an interview with Colonel Abdur Rashid, the convicted murderer of Bangladesh’s Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The interview took place in Pakistan. Zillur Rahman was accused of providing a platform for Bangabandhu’s self-confessed killer to justify his actions, rather than holding him accountable with pertinent questions. Media analysts argue that such an interview with a fugitive self-confessed murderer is disgraceful for any democratic nation.
Zillur Rahman, on his talk show, introduced Sahed, the Chairman of Regent Group, as a ‘political analyst,’ despite Sahed’s involvement in fraudulent activities related to the treatment of Covid-19 patients during the pandemic. Sahed has been featured on Tritiyo Matra since 2015, and even his viral statements on social media have been amplified through the platform.
During the regular press briefings of the US State Department concerning Bangladesh, Mushfiq Fazal Ansari consistently poses questions that suggest Bangladesh is in jeopardy. Despite the office spokesmen evading responses to these questions on multiple occasions, the former press secretary of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia persists in pressing them.
Ansari predominantly presents himself as a journalist, particularly emphasizing his previous role as a political reporter for the news agency UNB. However, according to statements from the news agency, Ansari indeed worked briefly as a reporter for UNB, but he never held the position of political reporter within the organization.
Recently, the news agency UNB reported on Mushfiq Ansari’s partial and politically
motivated actions under the guise of journalism. Allegations suggest that Ansari, a former press officer for Begum Khaleda Zia, provided a fabricated quote attributed to the foreign minister as a pretext for questioning during a briefing at the US State Department. And the former press officer is none but Ansari.
From 2001 to 2006, Mushfiq Fazal Ansari served as Assistant Press Secretary to Khaleda Zia. He also held the position of former member secretary of BNP’s international committee and is the nephew of BNP leader Haris Chowdhury. Ansari previously hosted talk shows on NTV and Banglavision. However, he has now become a journalist, albeit with a perceived political agenda. Operating under the guise of journalism, Ansari has participated in briefings at the United Nations, State Department, and White House, where he has posed questions perceived to be against the interests of Bangladesh and its government, while favoring BNP and Khaleda Zia.
Mushfiq Fazal Ansari operates an online platform named JustNews.com, dedicated to campaigning against the government. As a former member secretary of BNP’s international committee, he actively engages in various forms of propaganda to further anti-government schemes, advance BNP’s agenda, and tarnish the country’s reputation on the international arena.
Furthermore, he is affiliated with an organization named ‘Right to Freedom,’ which has ties to former US diplomat William Milam and his follower Jon Danilowicz. Both Milam and Danilowicz have longstanding connections with the BNP-Jamaat alliance. Danilowicz notably had a successful career period in Pakistan and is known for his efforts to prolong the tenure of Bangladesh’s illegal caretaker government. However, due to the resistance from the country’s ordinary citizens, that plan ultimately faltered.
Numerous political and diplomatic analysts have expressed concerns regarding the National Endowment for Democracy’s (NED) approach to fostering democracy in Bangladesh through its funding of institutions associated with biased and contentious individuals. They argue that NED risks embroiling itself in controversy by supporting institutions known for spreading rumors and exhibiting biased behavior. These analysts suggest that the US organization should demonstrate greater responsibility in its funding decisions.
