Dhaka: Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Faqir Mahbub Anam today emphasized the necessity of reliable and trustworthy information to foster a trusted, inclusive, and resilient digital society in Bangladesh. ‘Bangladesh’s rapid digital transformation has created new opportunities for citizens to access information, communicate, learn, conduct business and receive public services,’ a ministry press release quoted him as saying at a discussion on the issue in the capital.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Anam, who also oversees the Science and Technology ministry, made these remarks as the chief guest at an event titled ‘Information Integrity and Social Cohesion in Bangladesh: Policy, Platform Accountability and Collective Action’. He highlighted that information integrity extends beyond combating misinformation and disinformation, demanding social cohesion and meaningful citizen participation to maintain public trust.
The minister stressed the importance of a coordinated effort by the government, technology platforms, media organizations, civil society, and citizens to build a credible and safe information ecosystem. Responsible journalism and quality content in both traditional and digital media were underscored as crucial in today’s rapidly evolving information environment. He warned of the societal risks posed by harmful, misleading, and manipulative content, especially for children and young people.
Anam called for the cooperation of all stakeholders to address these challenges and foster a safer, more responsible, and inclusive information environment. He stated that under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, the government is committed to building a safe and inclusive digital environment, with active support from media, technology platforms, civil society, and other stakeholders being essential to this goal.
Mahfuz Anam, Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star, reiterated the importance of fact-checking, credibility, and accuracy for good governance and public trust in an era of rapid technological advancement. He pointed out that while freedom of expression on social media is growing, it also increases the risk of misinformation spreading rapidly. He affirmed The Daily Star’s commitment to ethical journalism and its efforts to strengthen fact-checking and verification initiatives.
A recent UNDP Bangladesh analysis, presented during the event, found that over half of the online content studied contained false or misleading information, with more than one-fifth involving AI-manipulated media. Participants discussed the necessity of reinforcing policy and regulatory frameworks, ensuring greater accountability for digital platforms, promoting digital safety, and addressing technology-facilitated harms.
The dialogue convened government officials, policymakers, academics, media professionals, civil society representatives, and development partners to examine emerging digital threats and identify concrete and coordinated policy responses to enhance information integrity, social cohesion, and public trust in Bangladesh.