The Dissent (Bengali: দ্য ডিসেন্ট) is a Dhaka-based digital investigative news outlet in Bangladesh. The outlet publishes investigative reports and analyses on disinformation, online campaigns, cybercrime and various contemporary issues. The editor of the outlet is Qadaruddin Shishir, who previously served as the Bangladesh editor of AFP's fact-checking division.
History
The Dissent began as a digital investigative journalism platform. The platform was established with the aim of investigating disinformation, online campaigns and the context behind various events, while presenting verified information to readers. Alongside conventional fact-checking, it focuses on examining the sources, processes and impact behind the creation and circulation of information. The outlet's editor, Qadaruddin Shishir, previously worked as the Bangladesh editor of AFP Fact Check and gained experience in information verification and countering disinformation.
Activities
The Dissent's activities include digital investigative journalism, fact-checking, identifying misleading information circulating online, and publishing analyses on contemporary issues. The outlet verifies images, videos, social media posts and various online claims before publishing reports.
In addition to investigative reports and fact-checking, The Dissent also publishes surveys and data-driven analytical reports.
Qadaruddin Shishir has also been quoted by international media outlets, including Al Jazeera, regarding online political campaigns, social media narratives and misinformation-related issues in Bangladesh.
Notable work
The Dissent has published reports verifying claims, images and videos circulating on social media and analysing online disinformation campaigns. It has also published analyses on misinformation and online campaigns during election periods.
In the case of the killing of Osman Hadi, The Dissent published an investigation claiming to identify a suspected attacker. The report analysed CCTV footage, publicly available images and social media data. The investigation was later covered by other media outlets.
In 2025, following an investigative report by The Dissent, Bangladeshi media reported the arrest of a couple in connection with allegations of producing and distributing pornographic content online. The case was also covered by international media, including ThePrint.
Reception and analysis
The Dissent's reports and analyses have been discussed by other media outlets. An opinion article published in Prothom Alo examined the methodology, presentation of information and research structure of one of The Dissent's analytical articles.
