Social Media Driven Rumours and Communal Violence in Bangladesh: Patterns, Catalysts, and Mitigation Strategies

Mohammad Khairul Alam

Defence Services Command and Staff College

The swift growth of social media use in Bangladesh has strengthened communication but has also lightning the diffusion of rumours. In several latest events, unverified posts framed around political, religious, and identity-based outrage have moved quickly from online spaces into offline vandalism and communal violences. The transition from rumour to violence is not automatic and unavoidable. It depends on how digital content is articulated, who disseminates it where it spreads, and how authorities respond. This study develops a sequential explanation of social media driven rumour spread in Bangladesh and analyses a risk-reduction model. Using a mixed-methods design, this study combines content analysis of viral rumour incidents, interviews with journalists, diffusion pathway mapping within closed networks, influencer, and digital security stakeholders. Presenting information suggests that escalation is most likely when identity threats circulate through trusted local networks and confusing institutional responses. Employing Social Exchange Theory, the study argues that perceived institutional failure facilitates negative reciprocity and accumulation. This study also suggests a mitigation strategy structured around early detection, rapid institutional communication, and locally credible counter-narratives.

Article link: https://www.asianinstituteofresearch.org/JSParchives/social-media-driven-rumours-and-communal-violence-in-bangladesh%3A-patterns%2C-catalysts%2C-and-mitigation-strategies