Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon on Saturday said preventing fake news has become a matter of national security, urging policymakers to formulate strategies and regulations with that reality in mind as misinformation increasingly threatens social stability and state interests.
The minister called on information and communication technology (ICT) experts to quickly prepare and submit a draft national action plan to address cyber risks and ensure online safety.
He said the rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made the creation and dissemination of fake news easier than ever, turning misinformation into one of the country's major strategic challenges.
"Digital security has now become even more critical than conventional border security," Swapon said, adding that cyber risks and digital hazards are creating serious threats to individuals, society and the state.
The minister noted that Bangladesh has been discussing fake news and disinformation for years, but the time has come to move beyond identifying problems and focus on implementing practical and effective solutions.
"We welcome discussions on the challenges, but we also expect realistic policy recommendations. If effective solutions are proposed for national issues, the government will work swiftly to implement them," he said.
Addressing ICT professionals, Swapon said the government is increasingly involving experts in policymaking to build a knowledge-based state. He stressed that any future policy framework aimed at combating fake news should take national security concerns into consideration.
Referring to international efforts to regulate technology giants, including Meta Platforms, Google and X Corp, the minister said mainstream media organisations invest substantial resources in producing content, while digital platforms often benefit commercially from that content without compensation.
The keynote paper was presented by NICTF vice president Imtiaz Mirza, while the session was moderated by Riyad Hasnain.
Among others, BNP's ICT Affairs Secretary AKM Wahiduzzaman, Prof Dr. Shah Jahan Mia, Business Analytics and Applied AI at the Newcastle Business School, Australia spoke virtually while former lawmaker and Engineers Association of Bangladesh convener Shahrin Islam Tuhin, ICT Forum adviser and political analyst Dr Maruf Mallick, and NICTF President Rafel Kabir attended the discussion.
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