Info minister seeks coordinated efforts to effectively counter misinformation, disinformation

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon today (13 August) stressed the importance of coordinated efforts by the government, the media, and all relevant stakeholders to effectively counter misinformation and disinformation.

The issues were discussed when Bangladesh's permanent representative-designate to the United Nations, Ambassador Dr Irene Zubaida Khan paid a courtesy call on the Information and Broadcasting Minister at the Minister's office at Secretariat.

During the meeting, they emphasised the importance of projecting Bangladesh's positive image abroad and appropriately presenting the country's position and achievements in the international arena.

They also discussed the importance of highlighting Bangladesh's achievements and various programmes of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the international media on the occasion of his participation in the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, said a media release.

Various aspects of media management for the prime minister's visit, projecting Bangladesh's positions and priorities in the international media, and presenting Bangladesh's positive image to the global community were also discussed.

The information minister assured her of the ministry's necessary cooperation in this regard.

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

They also held detailed discussions on measures to adopt effective communication strategies to counter such propaganda, ensure the rapid flow of accurate information, and strengthen Bangladesh's position on digital platforms.

The information minister briefed her on the 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 present at the meeting.