Preventing misinformation tops govt agenda: Swapon

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon compared information management to "oxygen", saying that providing accurate information and preventing misinformation during any national disaster is an "acid test" for the government, reports BSS.
He instructed District Information Officers (DIOs) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to present an accurate picture of the government's disaster response, maintain direct communication with the public, and provide daily updates on their activities.
The minister made the remarks during an interaction with district information officers from across the country through virtual platform from the ministry's conference room on Tuesday.
State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Yasser Khan Choudhury, Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Mahbuba Farjana, Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed, Mass Communication Department Director General Md. Abdul Jalil and other senior officials were also present.
Swapon said just as life becomes endangered when the air is polluted or absent, misinformation and false information can bring severe disruption to society.
"Ensuring that this flow of information remains untainted is one of our foremost responsibilities. If every day we can identify and prevent at least 20 pieces of false information or rumors and report that to the nation, people will become more aware, and the ministry's work will achieve its purpose," he said.
He said information no longer comes only through print and broadcast media; digital platforms have become one of the primary driving forces.
"Therefore, we must move beyond traditional methods of communication and establish a strong presence on digital platforms as quickly as possible," he added.
During the briefing, the minister connected virtually with information officers from the seven flood-affected districts of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Bandarban, Habiganj, and Moulvibazar to review field-level activities.
He instructed Mass Communication Department DG to immediately form a special emergency team comprising information officers from these seven districts to stay connected with the ministry and headquarters round the clock.
Addressing the officials, the minister said, "Reports must contain objective, data-driven information and statistics. Daily reports should include accurate figures on flooded villages, stranded people, snakebite incidents, and relief distribution.
The submitted data will be cross-checked with information received from the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief."