74% of pre-election misinformation in Bangladesh politically affiliated: UNDP expert
Sanchez also warned about the growing use of artificial intelligence in disinformation campaigns, saying artificial intelligence-generated content was increasingly undermining public trust and affecting voter behaviour.
More than 74% of online misinformation spread before the Bangladesh national election in 2026 was politically affiliated and reinforced gender-based bias, said Andres del Castillo Sanchez, chief technical adviser at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
"The spread of misinformation and hate speech intensified in the months leading up to elections, raising concerns about the impact of digital manipulation on democratic processes," the UNDP expert said at the Bangladesh Journalism Conference held at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden today (8 May).
"About 16% of the content analysed included hate speech, while 49% contained misinformation. More than 74% were politically affiliated and technically facilitated gender-based biases," he added.
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Sanchez noted that researchers observed significant fluctuations in online hate speech and misinformation between December and February, closely linked to the country's political developments.
"We are currently preparing an analysis because this needs to be understood alongside the political movements and situations the country is facing," he said.
According to Sanchez, although misinformation and hate speech surged during politically tense periods, there was a noticeable decline in such content in the days immediately before the election.
He also warned about the growing use of artificial intelligence in disinformation campaigns, saying artificial intelligence-generated content was increasingly undermining public trust and affecting voter behaviour.
"These AI-generated posts were undermining information reliability and the voters' ability to make informed choices," he said.
Speaking at the event, Joan Barata, international freedom of expression expert, stressed that while freedom of expression is fundamental, it must be accompanied by responsibility from both media actors and those in power.
"Freedom of expression is great, but it comes with responsibility," he said, adding that political authorities must also ensure responsible conduct in their engagement with the media.
Barata warned against undue pressure on journalists through legal, institutional, or law enforcement mechanisms, saying there are "certain limits" to state interference in media work.
