Joint action vital to combat misinfo Says Swapon

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has stressed coordinated action by the government, media and other stakeholders to counter misinformation and disinformation effectively.

He made the remarks on Thursday during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative-designate to the United Nations, Ambassador Dr Irene Zubaida Khan, who paid a courtesy call on him at his office at the Secretariat.

The meeting focused on strengthening Bangladesh’s communication efforts at home and abroad, with both sides stressing the need to present the country’s position, achievements and priorities appropriately on the international stage.

They also discussed the importance of projecting Bangladesh’s positive image abroad and countering misinformation and disinformation circulating through social media and digital platforms.

The two sides discussed highlighting Bangladesh’s achievements and various programmes of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in international media during his participation in the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, according to a media release.

They also reviewed media management for the prime minister’s visit, ways to project Bangladesh’s positions and priorities through international media, and measures to strengthen the country’s image among the global community.

Swapon assured the UN envoy-designate of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s necessary cooperation in these efforts.

During the meeting, both sides identified the spread of misinformation and disinformation through social media and digital platforms as a major challenge.

They discussed measures to develop effective communication strategies to counter such propaganda, ensure the rapid dissemination of accurate information and strengthen Bangladesh’s position on digital platforms.

The information minister briefed Irene Zubaida Khan on various initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in this regard.

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting were also present at the meeting.