The proliferation of fraudulent journalists across regional and upazila levels has once again sparked widespread concern, highlighted by mounting allegations against Shahjahan Miah (who variously styles himself as Shahjahan Chowdhury, Shahjahan Samrat, and Biplobi Shahjahan) in Purbadhala upazila of Netrokona. Operating local social media handles and online channels such as ‘Dainik Biplobi Shyamganj’ and ‘Hello Purbadhala’, he has faced severe accusations of extortion, harassment of local educators, and exploiting fictitious press identities for illicit gains.

According to local reports, Shahjahan—who formerly worked as a laborer in Shyamganj market and lacks formal schooling—shifted his allegiance following the political transition on August 5. While falsely claiming ties to senior political figures and working as a photojournalist for national outlets like Talash BD (whose editors confirmed they require an Intermediate qualification), he has allegedly engaged in blackmailing local business owners, including Mahbubur Rahman of Mehers Sadi Traders.