Dhaka, Aug 31 (V7N): Following the death of Gazi TV journalist Sarah Rahanuma, misinformation has spread across social media platforms and Indian media, fueled by a controversial post by Sajeeb Wazed, the son of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Sarah Rahanuma, a 32-year-old newsroom editor at Gazi TV, was found dead in Hatirjheel Lake in Dhaka on Wednesday. While the exact cause of her death is still under investigation, her husband has suggested it may have been suicide.

Before her death, Sarah posted several messages on social media hinting at personal struggles, including one stating, “It is better to die than to live a life akin to death,” and another expressing regret over unfulfilled plans.

In the aftermath of her death, Sajeeb Wazed gave the incident a political spin. In a Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) post, he described the incident as “another brutal attack on freedom of expression in Bangladesh,” referencing Gazi TV’s secular stance and its ownership by Golam Dastagir Gazi, who was recently arrested.

Indian media outlets, such as Organizer.org and Business Today, picked up on Sajeeb’s post, emphasizing Gazi TV’s alleged coverage of Hindu persecution in Bangladesh and the broader implications for press freedom in the country. For instance, Organizer.org ran the headline, “Bangladesh: Journalist Sarah Rahnuma, who reported on Hindu persecution, was found dead in Hatirjheel lake,” while Times Algebra also highlighted Gazi TV’s “secular” stance and its alleged reporting on atrocities against Hindus.

However, these reports have been criticized for spreading misinformation. Contrary to the claims, Sarah was not involved in reporting on Hindu persecution; she worked as a newsroom editor, primarily handling desk duties rather than field reporting. Additionally, Gazi TV has not taken an extraordinary stance on minority issues compared to other media outlets in Bangladesh. The station’s coverage following the events of August 5 was mainly political, with no particular focus on targeting religious minorities.

Moreover, Golam Dastagir Gazi’s recent arrest was not related to his ownership of Gazi TV but rather linked to charges stemming from the Anti-Discrimination Movement, similar to the detentions of other ministers from the immediate past government.

The police are currently investigating Sarah’s death to determine the actual cause, with her family and friends noting her recent struggles with job security and personal issues, which may have contributed to the tragedy.

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