About

Bangladesh Media Monitor (BDMM) is an independent media watchdog and think tank focused on content analysis, propaganda monitoring and journalist safety tracking within the media environment.

The initiative systematically examines news reports, television talk shows, digital media content, headlines, visuals and editorial narratives to understand how information is presented to the public. Through structured content analysis, it studies language use, framing patterns, narrative construction and source transparency in order to identify potential bias, information imbalance and patterns that may influence public perception.

BDMM also monitors propaganda techniques and misleading narratives circulating within the media ecosystem. This includes the analysis of emotionally driven framing, narrative repetition, selective emphasis and other communication strategies that may shape political or social understanding of events.

In addition, the initiative maintains a Safety Tracker that documents attacks, threats, arrests, legal harassment, reporting barriers and other risks faced by journalists. These incidents are recorded and analyzed to better understand patterns of journalist safety and the broader challenges affecting press freedom.

Methodology

Bangladesh Media Monitor conducts its monitoring activities through a structured, research-based and methodologically grounded analytical framework. News reports, talk shows, editorials, photo cards, video content and social media materials are systematically collected, archived and documented, with each item recorded alongside its source, publication time and contextual reference. The collected materials are subsequently evaluated using content analysis methods that examine news framing, tone and the use of loaded language, recurring narrative patterns or messaging trends, source transparency and verifiability, visual presentation and the broader political and social context in which the content appears. In addition, incidents involving attacks, threats, legal harassment, obstruction of reporting, detention or surveillance targeting journalists are systematically documented based on open sources, testimonies and credible reporting. Bangladesh Media Monitor follows principles of methodological neutrality and evidence-based assessment and updates its analyses when new verified information becomes available.

What We Define as Media

We defines media as an institutionally and editorially structured information system, one that collects, verifies, edits and publishes information in the public interest through an organized process. For BDMM, being a media outlet is not determined by paperwork, licensing or formal recognition. Instead, it is defined by how an entity operates its commitment to verification, its editorial practices and its accountability to the public. Any platform that consistently presents verified information, uses multiple sources and applies editorial judgment to ensure relevance and balance is considered media.

In today’s digital environment, the ability to publish information is widely accessible. As a result, many individuals, Facebook pages, YouTube channels and online platforms produce news, like content and present themselves as media. BDMM acknowledges this shift, but draws a clear distinction, producing news style content is not the same as being a media institution. In many cases, speed and reach are prioritized, while verification, source diversity and editorial oversight are missing. Such platforms are viewed as part of the broader content creation ecosystem, not as media.

At the same time, not all digital platforms are the same. Some online and social media based platforms regularly publish news, attempt verification and operate through organized teams. BDMM does not label these platforms as media or non-media by default. Instead, they are assessed based on how they function their verification processes, sourcing practices and contribution to the public interest. In other words, classification is based on evidence, not on claims.

A similar approach applies to freelance journalists and independent content creators. Individuals can engage in journalistic work- collecting, verifying and sharing information. However, whether that work is considered part of the media depends on how it is produced and where it is published. If it operates within an institutional and editorial structure, it may be considered media. Otherwise, it remains personal content.

Through this framework, BDMM clearly defines its monitoring scope. The focus is on platforms that have a real impact on public opinion and operate through some form of institutional process. At the same time, BDMM also examines platforms that claim to function as media, assessing whether they actually meet those standards in practice. By maintaining this clear, principle based distinction, BDMM works to build a neutral, evidence-driven monitoring system centered on information quality, editorial integrity and the public interest.

Safety Tracker

Since the brutal murder of journalists Sagar and Runi on 11 February 2012, we have been tracking major incidents of violence against journalists. Alongside these, we also document ongoing small and large scale cases to preserve the record and ensure accountability.

AI Use Disclosure

Bangladesh Media Monitor utilizes selected Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in certain stages of its work to enhance efficiency, improve workflow and support timely output. These tools are primarily used for data processing, preliminary analysis and content organization.

The integration of such tools helps streamline tasks and reduce operational workload, enabling the team to focus more on in-depth analysis and research. We believe that a balanced and sustainable working environment contributes to higher quality outputs.

However, it is important to note that all content produced by Bangladesh Media Monitor undergoes human verification prior to publication. AI tools are used strictly as supportive instruments and do not replace human judgment or editorial responsibility.

Funding & Financial Transparency

Bangladesh Media Monitor is a volunteer-based initiative. Most of the people involved in the organization contribute their work as volunteers, and the initiative does not operate with any commercial profit motive. The minimal operational and administrative expenses are covered through voluntary public contributions and small-scale crowdfunding support. These funds are used solely to sustain the organization’s basic activities. Bangladesh Media Monitor remains committed to maintaining transparency, accountability and ethical standards in its work.