Rumors, Fake News, Disinformation, Propaganda and Social Media Algorithm During (July–August 2024) Young Jihadists-Hostility: Content Producing and Diffusing Perspectives of Bangladesh

This article explores the dynamics of rumors, fake news, disinformation, and algorithm-driven propaganda on social media during the period of July–August 2024 in Bangladesh, particularly in relation to the mobilization of young jihadist groups. By combining critical discourse analysis, algorithmic studies, and ethnographic insight, this study investigates how militant ideologies were digitally diffused, manipulated, and algorithmically amplified across major platforms like Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Telegram. The paper interrogates the algorithmic curation of content that contributed to militant radicalization, the role of socio-political instability, and the systemic exploitation of religious and communal sentiments. It further evaluates state responses, counter-narratives, and the limitations of digital governance mechanisms in addressing algorithmically supported disinformation ecosystems. Using case studies and field interviews, the research provides a comprehensive analysis of digital militarism in Bangladesh and concludes with policy-oriented recommendations on countering digital extremism. This study investigates the dynamics of rumors, fake news, disinformation, and propaganda disseminated through social media algorithms during the July–August 2024 wave of young jihadist hostility in Bangladesh. Drawing from digital ethnography, content analysis, and algorithmic auditing, the research explores how extremist narratives were produced, circulated, and amplified across popular platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Telegram. The study critically examines the role of algorithmic curation in intensifying socio-political tensions, enabling ideological recruitment, and fostering digital echo chambers that radicalize youth. By analyzing over 1,000 pieces of multimedia content and tracking network diffusion patterns, this research highlights the interplay between platform design, user behavior, and the strategic manipulation of information. Findings reveal that disinformation campaigns were not only orchestrated by militant sympathizers but also inadvertently supported by platform algorithms favoring engagement metrics over content integrity. The study underscores the urgent need for algorithmic transparency, localized content moderation, and strategic counter-narratives to mitigate the risks of digital radicalization in volatile socio-political contexts like Bangladesh. The paper contributes to scholarship at the intersection of media studies, political communication, and counterterrorism, with implications for policymakers, platform regulators, and civil society stakeholders in South Asia.