Digital Platforms Essential for Effective Public Relations: Zahir Uddin Swapan
Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has said that effective public relations are no longer possible without digital platforms in the modern era, emphasizing the importance of data-driven communication and technological understanding among public relations officials.
He made the remarks on Sunday, May 24, during a training program for public relations officers from various ministries held at the Secretariat.
The minister said PR officials must have a clear understanding of modern technology and the evolving information ecosystem due to the nature of their professional responsibilities.
“In today’s world, any information without data is merely a personal opinion or assumption,” he stated.
Zahir Uddin Swapan said public relations officers need to understand the entire information flow ecosystem and monitor whether essential public services are effectively reaching citizens.
He noted that there are currently more than 300 officers serving under the Information Cadre and stressed the importance of building a skilled and technology-friendly workforce.
While speaking at the event, State Minister for Information Yaser Khan Chowdhury highlighted the growing importance of properly utilizing artificial intelligence technologies.
He said AI can play an effective role in identifying misinformation and disinformation, as well as supporting fact-checking initiatives.
The Information Minister further said the current era is defined by accurate data and analytics. According to him, it is impossible to determine how effectively government activities or messages are reaching people based solely on assumptions.
“To ensure credibility, reliable data is essential. Without data, information is simply treated as personal opinion,” he added.
The minister also emphasized the importance of psychography and digital footprint analysis in modernizing public relations systems. He said analyzing people’s reactions across digital platforms can provide a clearer understanding of public sentiment.
According to him, likes, dislikes, and comment analysis can be used to generate public opinion graphs, which can help authorities manage perceptions and counter negative campaigns more effectively.
Calling for Information Cadre officials to be developed as a “digital force,” he urged every ministry to present its development activities and achievements to the public through verified data and statistics to enhance credibility and reduce confusion.
The event was chaired by Chief Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed. Additional Secretaries Md. Shah Alam and Md. Yasin were also present at the program.
DBTech/SH/EK/OR
