The Digital Revolution: Online Journalism and the Struggle for Democracy

Jahid Ikbal: In the last decade, the blazing speed at which online journalism has expanded in Bangladesh marks the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s media history. Developments in technology, the widespread proliferation of social media, and the easy availability of high-speed internet have brought the news environment to a stage where the entire process of information creation, consumption, and distribution has been completely transformed.

According to the BTRC’s 2025 statistics, the number of internet users in the country is over 140 million, 97 percent of whom use smartphones. This immense digital population has completely reshaped the way news is read. In the past, the reader had to seek out the newspaper; today, the news comes to the reader—through Facebook News Feed, YouTube Shorts, online news portals, Messenger notifications, or search engine algorithms.

Online journalism has not only increased speed, but it has also brought profound changes to the reader’s psychology, journalistic ethics, and the methods of social information reception. Approximately 3,800 online news portals in Bangladesh actively publish news daily, a number unique compared to any other South Asian country. Research has shown that 65 percent of these portals lack a permanent newsroom, and about 40 percent of journalists and editors are publishing news without necessary verification. This has led to an increase in the spread of fake news. An MIT study from 2018 suggests that false information spreads six times faster than the truth. In Bangladesh, this rate doubles during periods of political or social conflict.

The biggest challenge for online journalism is credibility. As the number of news consumers on social media has grown, so too has the level of suspicion and confusion. A 2024 study by the British Royal Society showed that 57 percent of Bangladeshi readers remain doubtful about the veracity of news even after viewing it. Harvard’s Nieman Lab research indicates that the average human attention span is now 8–12 seconds, meaning the shorter the news, the more the reader will consume, but the less analytical depth there will be. This ‘brevity-habit’ is affecting the reader’s intellectual depth and capacity for fact-checking.

On the other hand, algorithms have completely transformed the scope of journalism. The algorithms of Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok prioritize content that generates high engagement or emotion, causing it to spread rapidly. Studies by MIT, the BBC, and the British Royal Society have shown that due to algorithms, important news is often overlooked. People are increasingly trapped in ‘echo chambers’ where they only receive news that aligns with their pre-existing beliefs. This virtually eliminates opportunities for informational diversity, opposing viewpoints, and critical analysis. Consequently, societal division increases, and the flow of misinformation and rumors is facilitated.

The role of the reader has also completely changed. Previously, the reader was a passive recipient; today, they are a source, a critic, and an active participant in the news. Ordinary people are becoming part of news production by sending direct photos and videos from the field. 2025 statistics show that approximately 20 million videos are uploaded daily on social media, a significant portion of which is spread under the claim of being news. However, 80 percent of this content contains unverified information or misleading elements. This process is blurring the distinction between journalism and propaganda.

There is an economic and psychological reason behind the creation of fake news, rumors, and misinformation. Emotional news attracts more clicks, which increases advertising, traffic, and revenue. According to the British Royal Society’s research, on algorithm-controlled news platforms, 60 percent of the time, content that provokes emotion is more popular. For this reason, clickbait headlines, misleading stories, and sensational content often spread, overriding the truth.

This situation is even more complex in Bangladesh. During periods of political unrest, election campaigns, or national crises, the volume of false information increases manifold. A 2024 ICFJ survey showed that political or religious rumors have increased by 45–50 percent on social media. This confuses the public and leads to erroneous decision-making. It weakens the fundamental foundations of democracy, freedom of expression, and social justice.

Conversely, the technological potential of online journalism is significant. Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), data analytics, satellite image analysis, and crowdsourced information are giving even small newsrooms the capacity to produce international-standard investigative reports. Twenty percent of online newsrooms in Bangladesh are utilizing data journalism. Drone video, live streams, satellite image analysis, and open-source verification have become part of investigative reporting.

Readers are also now part of the news publication process. They send direct videos, photos, and information from the field, which, when combined with journalistic investigation and verification, creates rich reports. This democratic news production has made journalism public-facing and has strongly emphasized the need for professional standards and ethics in journalism.

The future of online journalism depends on credibility, transparency, and strong regulation. If news providers can work with a sense of responsibility, ethics, and democratic principles, online journalism will not only deliver news but also have a profound impact on human decision-making, democracy, and human rights.
In the digital age, information is power. But that power belongs only to those who know how to use information as a tool for truth, ethics, and public welfare. In Bangladesh, online journalism is delivering this news through this responsibility, raising public awareness, and contributing to the formation of a democratic society. As technology changes, platforms will also change, but the commitment to truth and public trust is eternal. In these volatile times, we need more fearless, truthful, and humane journalism that reaches not just for clicks, but for the hearts of people.

Author: Senior Journalist and President, Bangladesh Online Journalist Association.