Social Media Platform Facebook Has Become a Tool for Media Trials: A Study on Recent Mob Violence Against Citizens of Bangladesh

This study critically examines the weaponization of Facebook in Bangladesh as a digital court of public opinion that fuels media trials, social purges, and mob violence. Between August 2024 and June 2025—during the controversial Yunusian interim regime—Facebook played a central role in triggering physical violence, reputational exile, and academic punishment. Using case studies including the Hazari Lane mob killings, the suspension of Rajshahi University’s professors, and Dhaka University’s campus purges through unwelcome declarations. This research identifies a consistent pattern: unverified allegations escalate into societal punishments through Facebook posts, banners, and viral misinformation. The findings show that the digital space is no longer separate from real-world consequences; it is the arena where guilt is assigned, and verdicts are carried out in the absence of due process. The paper calls for comprehensive reforms—ranging from cybercrime law updates and social media platform accountability to campus justice mechanisms and academic freedom protections. In conclusion, this paper argues that unchecked digital vigilantism threatens Bangladesh’s democratic fabric, necessitating urgent regulatory and institutional action. Facebook-driven media trials leading to mob violence in Bangladesh.