Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon has urged Bangladesh’s ICT experts to prepare a comprehensive national action plan to address growing cyber threats and enhance online safety.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion titled “Combating Fake News in Bangladesh: Policy, Technology and Accountability” in Dhaka on Saturday, the minister said the rapid spread of misinformation and fake news through artificial intelligence (AI) and social media platforms has emerged as a major challenge for both society and the state.
The event was organised by the Nationalist ICT Forum (NICTF) at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Ramna and brought together ICT professionals, researchers, journalists and policymakers.
Swapon said cyber risks and digital threats are becoming increasingly complex, posing serious concerns for individuals, institutions and national security. He called on technology experts to quickly develop and submit practical recommendations that could form the basis of a coordinated national strategy.
Highlighting the government’s approach to policymaking, the minister said greater emphasis is now being placed on involving experts and professionals in decision-making processes to support the development of a knowledge-based society.
He also pointed to global efforts to regulate major technology companies and digital platforms. Referring to international debates involving companies such as Meta, Google and X, Swapon said mainstream media organisations invest significant resources in producing content, while digital platforms often benefit from that content without providing compensation.
The minister noted that several countries, including Australia, have introduced measures requiring digital platforms to compensate content creators and media organisations. He stressed the need for Bangladesh to establish a structured and accountable regulatory framework for online platforms.
Other speakers at the event highlighted the importance of advanced technological tools to identify misinformation and propaganda online. They also called for strengthening mainstream media institutions and expanding digital literacy programmes, particularly among marginalised communities, to improve public awareness and resilience against fake news.
