A report reveals how a transnational online campaign led by Bangladeshi activists abroad allegedly triggered violent attacks on Dhaka media houses, exposing dangers of cross-border social media incitement, algorithm-driven mob mobilisation, and rising threats to press freedom in Bangladesh.
A transnational digital campaign allegedly led by two Bangladeshi online activists based in the United States and France has been linked to a wave of violent attacks on major media organisations and cultural institutions in Dhaka, according to a recent investigative report. The findings have raised serious concerns about cross-border online incitement, social media accountability, and the capacity of governments to respond to digitally driven mob violence.
The report states that the campaign was spearheaded by Elias Hossain, an activist and former journalist residing in Jackson Heights, New York, along with his collaborator Pinaki Bhattacharya, who operates from Paris. Through coordinated use of social media platforms, the duo allegedly incited mobs in Bangladesh to attack prominent news outlets and cultural centres, marking a significant escalation in the use of transnational digital influence to trigger real-world violence.
According to the report published by Northeast News, the violence escalated rapidly following a Facebook post made late on December 18, 2025, by Elias Hossain. In the post, Hossain reportedly called for the destruction of the Dhaka office of Prothom Alo. The message was instantly broadcast to more than 2.2 million followers, further amplified by Facebook’s verification badge, and spread across WhatsApp, Instagram, and multiple affiliated Facebook pages.
Within hours, large crowds reportedly gathered outside the Prothom Alo office in Dhaka, vandalising the building and setting parts of it ablaze. Simultaneously, social media posts and live videos from Hossain and Bhattacharya allegedly directed supporters to target other institutions, including The Daily Star, as well as cultural organisations such as Chhayanaut and Udichi. Observers noted that social media algorithms played a critical role in amplifying the messages, enabling rapid mobilisation of mobs in real time.
Journalists and digital rights experts cited in the report warned that this incident may represent one of the first documented cases in Bangladesh where coordinated online messaging from overseas directly orchestrated mass violence on the ground. The episode has intensified debate over whether global social media platforms are adequately equipped to prevent verified accounts from being used to incite violence across national borders.
The report further noted that Hossain and Bhattacharya have, over the past year, conducted sustained online campaigns against leading Bangladeshi newspapers, repeatedly accusing them of acting on behalf of foreign intelligence agencies and spreading misinformation. These claims, the report said, contributed to widespread distrust of the media and helped fuel hostility toward journalists.
Earlier incidents in October and November 2024 reportedly involved attempts to surround newsrooms and intimidate staff, accompanied by increasingly aggressive online rhetoric. The campaign allegedly culminated in February 2025, when mobs demolished the ancestral home of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Dhanmondi. The report claims the timing of the demolition coincided with Hasina’s live Facebook address, with followers coordinated through continuous posts and videos.
Citing findings from BoomLive, the report added that on the night of December 18, as multiple newsrooms were attacked, sections of the crowd openly called for a new political leadership led by Hossain and Bhattacharya. Investigators noted that both individuals had publicly displayed links with government officials, lending credibility and real-world influence to their online presence.
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Bangladesh has seen a marked deterioration in law and order since the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government assumed power in August 2024. Media watchdogs have reported a sharp rise in attacks on journalists, the normalisation of mob culture, and growing challenges for authorities attempting to regulate online misinformation and hate-driven mobilisation.
The report concludes by warning that without stronger cross-border cooperation, platform accountability, and legal frameworks to address digital incitement, similar transnational campaigns could pose an increasing threat to democratic institutions, press freedom, and public safety in the region.
