‘Fake news must be treated as crime’

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Policy and Strategy Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Sunday said spreading misinformation and rumours is a punishable offence, although many people often fail to realise its gravity.

“The spread of fake news cannot be curbed without legal measures. Criticism and abuse are separate issues; they are not fake news. Fake news should be treated as a crime and the government must send a clear message in this regard,” he said.

Dr Zahed was addressing a seminar titled “Rumours and Misinformation in Media: Who is the Victim? Who is the Predator?” held at the auditorium of the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) in the capital. PIB Director General Faruk Wasif presided over the programme, reports BSS.